tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31110028338996359672024-03-18T23:20:55.935-04:00Connect With Your Life.........What I know for sure...the more I stay connected in my life, the less stress I feel, the more positive energy I have and the more I see the good in others. In this new, quick read, lighthearted blog I will share tips and techniques, along with inspiration and encouragement to foster mindful living and a peaceful heart!
Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.comBlogger36125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-3340170903735005752018-01-15T16:09:00.000-05:002018-01-15T16:09:50.647-05:00Hold On.....<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwrBzNEfmAYCN2QYOmj12kzVBDQSraktPCoLeZBAXEmYnr7xcB_y3eHT-HhXNett7F2511fIbMdx5klnowakmWw442bOXK8sxX0QqbtKiOnI7VU49z6U5DNtcnqd48V9FeEVe0D0Jk7Q/s1600/38576a4bbe70c193f11188f9697be98a--refuse-to-sink-life-preserver.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="305" data-original-width="474" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicwrBzNEfmAYCN2QYOmj12kzVBDQSraktPCoLeZBAXEmYnr7xcB_y3eHT-HhXNett7F2511fIbMdx5klnowakmWw442bOXK8sxX0QqbtKiOnI7VU49z6U5DNtcnqd48V9FeEVe0D0Jk7Q/s320/38576a4bbe70c193f11188f9697be98a--refuse-to-sink-life-preserver.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><i><b>If you can't fly then run, if you can't run then walk, if you can't walk then crawl, but whatever you do, you have to keep moving forward</b></i>.</span> <i>Martin Luther King Jr.</i><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hows that for motivation!? As I completed an email this morning I wanted to close with an MLK quote. It felt appropriate to draw attention today, more than ever, to words from a very wise man.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I quickly searched MLK quotes and the words above spoke to me immediately! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">There are so many times we are challenged on a variety of levels and life's struggles halt and cripple us. I for one know that feeling of waving the white flag and checking out for a bit. Sometimes the "check out" is restorative, but sometimes it's more like treading water trying to get somewhere.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Consider this....when in those <i>treading water</i> moments, the quote above is your life line. It is the reminder of how ever small the decision you make to do something! anything! to move forward, you have succeeded and are making progress. Some days the moving forward will feel more powerful than others...and that's the beauty of it. When I'm feeling productive and high functioning, I am flying...other days, not so much and brushing my teeth is my crawling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dear Readers, keep in mind Martin Luther King Jr.'s words to keep moving forward. You decide how...and just keep moving...you've got this!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-2155809594537776782018-01-12T13:53:00.000-05:002018-01-12T13:53:54.678-05:00It Really Is All How You Look At It....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5dB2MMzARClNczJ5Pc23OZ-6C9Ash1xAPO_EvziY9o3EQclsM0cAMbvLLBUHPP0Umb1_H1VwWIWXExpE0q1SHMQMzklAV9Ru_-DMBGPjRtcfFsPjU_0Ljzyybz1Gy4P0VqVIZtx5H3A/s1600/IMG_3956.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1246" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI5dB2MMzARClNczJ5Pc23OZ-6C9Ash1xAPO_EvziY9o3EQclsM0cAMbvLLBUHPP0Umb1_H1VwWIWXExpE0q1SHMQMzklAV9Ru_-DMBGPjRtcfFsPjU_0Ljzyybz1Gy4P0VqVIZtx5H3A/s200/IMG_3956.JPG" width="155" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">A year has gone by since I've posted. Ugh! Really??? And are you kidding me, Maria? fill my head. But thankfully, constantly filling my head are also "bloggable" moments.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Like the other morning, doing the dash to get from here, there and everywhere, I went into the bathroom to find a left out razor and whiskers in the sink. Really??? pops into my mind again. Here's the rub, I like family members to clean up after themselves! It's a thing for me and an intensified "thing" because I'm faced with stuff around daily, let's be honest, it's not a realistic expectation that they will always put away. (OK! I REALLY DO think it is realistic, in my own world... but I'm working on thinking like them a little bit more)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So as I looked for the positive and reminded myself of what I know deep inside, of being grateful for the many blessings in my life...I saw it..... the smiley face.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtAqgd06n7RG7gGl0rJZSJo0prF8o8_E8qWM217oAwu4gTqvTggPyX7tLsokgDiHWuIPbcnPjfSEGux8zvFgMTftGoqbNF-brZKSY3jYN8jZTPmd7X0OMl1DX41yIMpHjgkyqjmQQ29c/s1600/IMG_3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXtAqgd06n7RG7gGl0rJZSJo0prF8o8_E8qWM217oAwu4gTqvTggPyX7tLsokgDiHWuIPbcnPjfSEGux8zvFgMTftGoqbNF-brZKSY3jYN8jZTPmd7X0OMl1DX41yIMpHjgkyqjmQQ29c/s200/IMG_3946.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here's another....covered under layers of finish on the floor at work I spotted this silver heart. Who knew? Probably been there for years! But on that particular day I finally saw it. A colleague and I took it as a sign! A real good sign!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Delighted to think, my constant self prescribed "look for the good" once again pays off!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So Dear Readers, as we kick off a new year, commit to paying attention throughout your day! You never know what gentle reminders you will find, when you look at things a different way.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyzb6ZQ89yO1okLWIsOoQa7_Ton-FrzRn-btsj_ZgCvDnnHSb9XtAvZKe9Q2jYIOc9XoY4itirmZ96eT8my7NV8SXr-89t9rbFLmt8IA5Cda62cYvHPqXxcxgxqa7o5QWHQFZaYsMvW10/s1600/IMG_3946.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a></span></div>
Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-1285569958865666462017-01-15T10:07:00.000-05:002017-01-15T10:08:18.934-05:00Going Places.........<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We hear it as a mantra, we even say it to ourselves, we commit to doing it more, we even do it for a day and then it slips...little by little by little, then it lays dormant because the rush of our hectic days get in the way...but thankfully we remind ourselves again..</span><b><i><span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">"live in the moment"!</span></i></b><br />
<div>
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As the new year approached, I did the typical reflecting and then the looking ahead to what I wanted to "work on" and then became overwhelmed and went right into the "yeah right, who am I kidding?" portion of the program.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">And that's when I decided to revert to <i><b>baby steps will take me places</b></i> and set out on a goal of more conscious "in the moment" living!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here's just a few of the things I have noticed in the past few weeks:</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dphA_AJ6aZpRLaxAEUZx1F_VrIczMmDxjAkzChrMyYIehUKcwknaHF1d6EFiEV3lWS0_IJj3OeLmX8fjGwMX2SC-E7N0LScP_kAOTpWET7sbHhmZyB1TJmQRejVg82PV-NmHEYhfuxU/s1600/IMG_1021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9dphA_AJ6aZpRLaxAEUZx1F_VrIczMmDxjAkzChrMyYIehUKcwknaHF1d6EFiEV3lWS0_IJj3OeLmX8fjGwMX2SC-E7N0LScP_kAOTpWET7sbHhmZyB1TJmQRejVg82PV-NmHEYhfuxU/s200/IMG_1021.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><b>Frost on the windshield is more than an aggravation when running late. It is an intricate mosaic that reveals beauty from within, while making things clearer.</b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg067hq23Rgd9_pHokphJ3WAJcMMvaXqiA-kPUF4z1dB_rRtfHO6bOAe1a-jAggsI27h-SuI7iL6Wj1KjryDV4n-X1VIuG0EvzWTGScx4c61rEwCguJeZGpFf_80o1X-aSKcwzTwrDaMis/s1600/IMG_2625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg067hq23Rgd9_pHokphJ3WAJcMMvaXqiA-kPUF4z1dB_rRtfHO6bOAe1a-jAggsI27h-SuI7iL6Wj1KjryDV4n-X1VIuG0EvzWTGScx4c61rEwCguJeZGpFf_80o1X-aSKcwzTwrDaMis/s200/IMG_2625.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Taking time to hike on a chilly winter day, reveals growth!</span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDqtx34w9KXneZCdhMvZ8iExEgyHqJO9iZ5sIrl0V4RWCH9LvZN7EmOWQZ0u10cl0MWWJZzUHldXzdD9DvnCH-eIFYijzxDo2MEYD0iy3lYftyf8-eym3na9u33_zveE2tQj_MgacbsU/s1600/IMG_2498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdDqtx34w9KXneZCdhMvZ8iExEgyHqJO9iZ5sIrl0V4RWCH9LvZN7EmOWQZ0u10cl0MWWJZzUHldXzdD9DvnCH-eIFYijzxDo2MEYD0iy3lYftyf8-eym3na9u33_zveE2tQj_MgacbsU/s200/IMG_2498.JPG" width="150" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">We are mightier than we believe we are. We just have to stop and notice!</span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<b><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So Dear Readers, today I offer insight from my experiences: Making an effort opens doors that felt stuck shut. It is in the little moments that we truly notice, feel and thank goodness grow! Take your own baby steps and see how far they will take you!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-37337803604679719092016-12-05T21:23:00.002-05:002016-12-05T21:23:51.708-05:00Happy Tears......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnI2fi2ye-4fzYD8gMZKzFKJSqSkpmf-DnoI4VkDaeqlbL-OvmTKYnvfRyvouL4ToVehP3-QzWJ_0N9CnfO15QQA0-6VXbwDbU7Wzf7TNwAwczM1bL_1weZzIaaZUvPI8yvsnyEGWZI-g/s1600/IMG_2547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnI2fi2ye-4fzYD8gMZKzFKJSqSkpmf-DnoI4VkDaeqlbL-OvmTKYnvfRyvouL4ToVehP3-QzWJ_0N9CnfO15QQA0-6VXbwDbU7Wzf7TNwAwczM1bL_1weZzIaaZUvPI8yvsnyEGWZI-g/s320/IMG_2547.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">For the past several weeks, blog entry gems have fluttered through my brain. I toss around the idea, let it marinate, consider it more and then it gets lost somewhere in the outer hemispheres beyond my reach. I like to believe it is because I am living so precisely "in the moment", stopping to fully form the idea would spoil the magic I'm in. Or more accurately perhaps my mind is in overload and I force myself to stay in the moment and grab onto the said magic and store it for later retrieval.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">However I want to look at it, I've been feeling the disconnect of not writing and the cathodic rhythm/balance it brings. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The Christmas Season feels like just the right time to jump back in and get some <i>warm and fuzzy, we're in this together and let's go spread some cheer</i> vibes going. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Carrying on with our family tradition, we are going to perform random acts of kindness as we go along our days and then place a piece of straw in our family creche for each good deed we perform. (see to the right of the manger, waiting...) Watching and hoping for padded bliss each time we walk by. Preparing a soft spot for <i>"when baby Jesus arrives". </i>Ahh I still hold the years when the boys were little close to my heart. (Wouldn't change the <i>now</i>, but love reflecting just the same)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When setting up our manger this past weekend, I debated and then tucked away the straw box, feeling our boys now 23 and 19 are rarely around and overlapping our time to chat about our deeds was feeling like a difficult feat. I would continue acts of kindness of my own, but it was a year of feeling different about the tradition and the logistics.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A short while later my oldest, his fiance, along with my younger son walked in. My darling future daughter in law looked around, spotted the creche and let out a "oh yay, let the acts of kindness begin"! My heart leaped for joy! I shared my thought of needing to let it go this year...which she quickly replied " I love that tradition" and the boys chorused with an "I'm in"! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">As happy tears filled my eyes, I took out the small box of straw, delighted that the tradition would continue, lives would be touched with kindness and the sweet reminder of how blessed I am with such an amazing daughter in law to be! Welcome Kate! So glad you are part of the family! Much love!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Side note to post: the wooden bed was carved by my Dad when I was a kid. My parents used the straw similarly...well it was actually a bit different..... if we kids behaved all day we received a piece of straw before going to bed. I'm happy to report, for the most part, baby Jesus was welcomed to a soft bed. </i> </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-65575890701207094722016-09-11T18:21:00.001-04:002016-09-11T18:23:32.528-04:00Pass It On.......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvlq-fEwxQxZndf6TwbmIzyQMXpOC1Gk8qy9aMmg1GHNEmY6qCcxHV6ROGCdA1ew_q5SBBdFOuf_5F7NYUbOU-gT7Xqf35M0-JmD7y0csiCuNzInBDHjIvMBqF3HdDljeGsXg8htE5Vs/s1600/creativity-quote-1024x684.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhvlq-fEwxQxZndf6TwbmIzyQMXpOC1Gk8qy9aMmg1GHNEmY6qCcxHV6ROGCdA1ew_q5SBBdFOuf_5F7NYUbOU-gT7Xqf35M0-JmD7y0csiCuNzInBDHjIvMBqF3HdDljeGsXg8htE5Vs/s320/creativity-quote-1024x684.png" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Yesterday at a creative retreat, I eagerly listened to the speaker, wanting to find "that thing", a "take away" that would be my own aha! moment. Silently wishing, something would catapult me in a direction where things are clearer, where I ask less questions and I move in a direction that feels "right". Tall order I know, but figuring, aim high and perhaps one of my requests would fall into place.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Now I could fast forward at this point and tell you the results. Cut to the chase and give away the ending, but then Dear Readers you wouldn't know "the how".</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Anecdotes and examples of the creative process, along with where inspiration comes from and how to get from here to there, filled the air - along with butterflies dancing around us on perennial beds of beauty.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I took it all in and felt open minded to the information being provided. Realizing as I looked around, that we are all hearing the same words, but perhaps each getting a different message. That is the thing with information, I am a believer of the thought that we interpret things differently at different times in our lives. Listening and hearing are a skill, that can enhance our lives, for the better...not always easy, but so beneficial just the same.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Here I sat open minded and ready to receive the knowledge being spoken.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Results are in.......My take away, my aha! moments were plentiful!!! One that jumped out and landed nicely in my lap was this...when we wake in the morning we never know if this is going to be the day that we will look back on in days, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">months or </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">years to come, that lead us to the point we are at...just where we want to be, living our dreams, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">asking less questions, </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">touching lives and making a difference. There needs to be steps to get there and we can only connect the dots looking back, not going forward, though ironically, they move us forward!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
<i><b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">I say yes.... I am creative, I am imaginative and I am ready! I say yes to living mindfully in my days, to taking chances, asking less questions, and </span><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">nurturing my creative soul!</span></b></i>Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-7310011330156248102016-07-17T21:57:00.001-04:002016-07-17T21:57:41.535-04:00<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUp0-y30Yh22xoSp-DY8I6Bl0m16swJD2vWyC7TZ1cqqGneinMhU5vhINHwgE0cYhiqPcGIv3_2gxDF-FRfTJpv_Jv0vRq-krk-rbR5TXXgBVCPtpJV2DWbJ3lHbjoZFZ2DYljs6iDtgA/s1600/IMG_1911.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUp0-y30Yh22xoSp-DY8I6Bl0m16swJD2vWyC7TZ1cqqGneinMhU5vhINHwgE0cYhiqPcGIv3_2gxDF-FRfTJpv_Jv0vRq-krk-rbR5TXXgBVCPtpJV2DWbJ3lHbjoZFZ2DYljs6iDtgA/s320/IMG_1911.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">YIKES! Months since I've posted!! <b><i>What it doesn't mean</i></b>...it doesn't mean I've lost interest or forgotten about my blog. It doesn't mean I've run out of things to say. It doesn't mean something is terribly wrong with </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my computer,</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> my health, or my family. And it most definitely doesn't mean I've been busy doing domestic things like cooking or cleaning.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>What it does mean</i></b>..... </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>I</i></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>t means</i> I've decided to have the "Summer Of Fun". </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It means</i> I'm broadening my comfort zone and trying things that once felt beyond my personal reach. (</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">still drawing strength & motivation from the tattoo I got in February) </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It means</i> I still have days or moments in them, that I feel emotionally challenged, but I continue to try. <i>It means</i> choices are mine. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i>It means </i>I've been stopping to take a breath and putting my feet up. <i>It</i> <i>means</i> my thoughts continue to whirl with blog post ideas, and I look forward to starting back up. <i>It means</i> sometimes you have to cut back, to focus on other parts of your journey. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i> It means</i> I am Connecting With My Life!</span></div>
Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-11458033712043538842016-04-11T16:03:00.001-04:002016-04-11T16:03:50.458-04:00Political Talk......<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsnKgx2177UayKUwKbzjfq05iSN3qm1RcTbz6vdMa-8MjVGSS3Z-eL4YXgU-4xEhdrkPY0z59gBxbS9RmAsJ_-gwUhUYEQzowu2KhDbw428pFg-Mq26C07aYgRnWV7uHLrwue6HoBSK0/s1600/10403409_10154024732298454_2622420139446280746_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcsnKgx2177UayKUwKbzjfq05iSN3qm1RcTbz6vdMa-8MjVGSS3Z-eL4YXgU-4xEhdrkPY0z59gBxbS9RmAsJ_-gwUhUYEQzowu2KhDbw428pFg-Mq26C07aYgRnWV7uHLrwue6HoBSK0/s320/10403409_10154024732298454_2622420139446280746_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Walls turned sideways are bridges" ~ Angela Davis</span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">With the talk of "building a wall" being heavily tossed around in the political arena lately......a smile truly came to my face when the above quote and photo from <a href="http://www.gratefulness.org/"><span style="color: #4c1130;">Gratefulness.org</span></a> </span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">arrived in my inbox.</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I thought how amazing it would be if perception shifted and alternatives were considered, all in an effort to create a stronger, more positive functioning world!</span><br />
<br />
Please visit this site <a href="http://www.gratefulness.org/"><span style="color: #4c1130;">A Network for Grateful Living</span> </a>to find inspiration and motivation. You can also sign up for a daily quote delivered to your email if you like.<br />
<br />
Peace,<br />
MariaMaria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-91269858365299642902016-04-02T13:18:00.001-04:002016-04-02T13:18:43.032-04:00Shutting Out The World.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGpdNCSyopqJsf-ULB5OBU575DNycweKwUmiTb9fqNXvl9_VSYFFjyuOIuPRy7S5Th7Ke3VxISmAlGzH9Rr26YkEeAyPk1HAkFsVKr2FYAQ4uHWKwHTyh-AvYAFZI9_FU1Yoj705L_Yw/s1600/3788483016_33038eba25_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="204" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFGpdNCSyopqJsf-ULB5OBU575DNycweKwUmiTb9fqNXvl9_VSYFFjyuOIuPRy7S5Th7Ke3VxISmAlGzH9Rr26YkEeAyPk1HAkFsVKr2FYAQ4uHWKwHTyh-AvYAFZI9_FU1Yoj705L_Yw/s320/3788483016_33038eba25_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Woke this morning to the sound of heavy rain. Darkness filled the room as if it was closer to evening than dawn. I contemplated getting out of bed to start my day. A lengthy To Do list for things I am working on, piles of laundry, rugs to be vacuumed, toilets to be cleaned and dusting to be done, all awaited me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I continued listening to the rain and realized it was lulling me back into a state of slumber, as well as a feeling of disconnect from my knee jerk reaction to get out of bed and get my day started. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Who am I to fight? I'm not a fighter...<i>one of the traits I do admire about myself</i>. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">So I went with my inner voice that reassured me...."<i>time for you"!</i> I popped on the TV, relaxed as I channel surfed and admired gardens, homes and vacations that all took me to magical places.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Eventually I decided to slither out of bed and head downstairs, where I was welcomed by darkened rooms with shades still drawn, rain pinging off the skylights and the sense of being in my own cocoon of sorts. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A feeling of shutting out the world took over and I reveled in it. I was reminded that sometimes in order to Connect With Your Life, you must remove yourselves from it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">So that's what I am doing today Dear Readers. Shades will stay closed in order to shut out the world. There will be curling up on the couch with tea, magazines, books and </span><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">hopefully for some of it, my special guy too</i><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;">To Do lists, toilets and laundry can wait...and they will. For today I am in my own cocoon! Perhaps tomorrow I will spread my wings.......on the outside!</span><br />
<br />
<br />Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-77026337557759953452016-03-06T10:41:00.005-05:002016-03-06T10:41:57.669-05:00<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i> </i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQF6hqGganeoE-GXvoVC5MrobtTMJ55yUgqra3KkipdZ-g8hcqnVhMuO16W3zLxBf8gXuAnqaUm3dXNV57kHFGxgXMlMiRp3Sm7jKeUJ94fjuLU2cfO5SRBkDH-th_6QcbzY0w-FEm2KU/s1600/IMG_0362.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQF6hqGganeoE-GXvoVC5MrobtTMJ55yUgqra3KkipdZ-g8hcqnVhMuO16W3zLxBf8gXuAnqaUm3dXNV57kHFGxgXMlMiRp3Sm7jKeUJ94fjuLU2cfO5SRBkDH-th_6QcbzY0w-FEm2KU/s400/IMG_0362.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i> Looking for a little motivation to Connect With Your Life?</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b> Here's a sprinkle of just that...go ahead, give some of these a try!</b></i></span><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><i><b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Unplug:eliminate time zappers for a few hours</span></b></i></li>
<li><i><b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Write a list of things you are grateful for</span></b></i></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Go for a walk & look for signs of the season changing</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sit in a quiet space and hum a tune..nothing in particular, make it up as you go!</b></span></li>
<li><i style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><b>Call a loved one and just chat</b></i></li>
<li><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go through an old photo album....before they were digitized</span></i></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Write a note to yourself, granted the first line will probably be "how bizarre this feels"...but go on to shower yourself with good wishes, dreams and positive thoughts.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Laugh</b></span></li>
<li><b><i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Gather pictures out of magazines that make you smile. Assemble them in a notebook, include words & phrases that encourage & motivate you.</span></i></b></li>
<li><b><i><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Turn up the music and just dance!</span></i></b></li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gmZFDTpno4czIznSNszTsZWEfjkPR1Sz1aPdX53z_bhkLh3m12-1YPOZF2SWMcgG42OJVqib-g7IJtFFyc6gYRbzNdik7YYj0q-IOSbLFN_FXjqqfI310ukfsXwfx15CIMwSpQN7RcI/s1600/il_340x270.466800611_lyog+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="369" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2gmZFDTpno4czIznSNszTsZWEfjkPR1Sz1aPdX53z_bhkLh3m12-1YPOZF2SWMcgG42OJVqib-g7IJtFFyc6gYRbzNdik7YYj0q-IOSbLFN_FXjqqfI310ukfsXwfx15CIMwSpQN7RcI/s400/il_340x270.466800611_lyog+-+Copy.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-35716585126855904922016-02-27T12:40:00.001-05:002016-02-27T12:46:26.598-05:00We Must Imagine... It's Everything<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVrJgfdYFukPgP5Z4ey91FQCJl3g2ekx_gzArpfSfOX2As6vxw0h-kUSjrON5ppD0Xi-cdZTfcDp3ednZ4QeTHdOW7KmXbKKdj3De4Ae_TY8WGcGhG8JCgynBHXC1JWCgk4tO1MTCrVc/s1600/IMG_1324.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWVrJgfdYFukPgP5Z4ey91FQCJl3g2ekx_gzArpfSfOX2As6vxw0h-kUSjrON5ppD0Xi-cdZTfcDp3ednZ4QeTHdOW7KmXbKKdj3De4Ae_TY8WGcGhG8JCgynBHXC1JWCgk4tO1MTCrVc/s320/IMG_1324.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you Sheila Andrew for this card!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Aaaargh! You know when you feel like you have a million ideas in your head and you want to make them all happen, but you don't know how to harness them and make a plan, or how to begin and which one to pick because they all call your name and all seem exciting yet overwhelming, so you think, rethink and think even more and then it shifts to... questioning and it begins to feel like too much work to make anything happen and you curl up and just figure "yeah why should I even bother"...Well Dear Readers that's where I find myself!</span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Fortunately there is this tiny voice (as oppose to the big voices) in my head that remains. It it coaxing me to pick just one...give it 48 hours and whatever comes of it is more than if I hadn't done anything.... and then reevaluate at that point and make my next decision.</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">So I'm going to go for it and see where it takes me. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I'm about the journey...I'm about the discoveries....and I'm about not getting complacent in my life. That's right! It's My Life and I'm here to live it!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-21461853443934941592016-02-14T18:43:00.001-05:002016-02-14T19:00:47.270-05:00<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhcLcacl8o06vnqfb_q75TVOks6zpiOlcwBlomZca7VFjW0fvN3znkjpu9sg9p84J0NWLZeHSLfq2eMYwxg4FwmkhxGHiaXp-c6HE_NjvfUfZTijwb8Sf0rbCW8_FbHcb3sIxX9g3FqA/s1600/10551490_980118185347808_331957023002052577_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVhcLcacl8o06vnqfb_q75TVOks6zpiOlcwBlomZca7VFjW0fvN3znkjpu9sg9p84J0NWLZeHSLfq2eMYwxg4FwmkhxGHiaXp-c6HE_NjvfUfZTijwb8Sf0rbCW8_FbHcb3sIxX9g3FqA/s320/10551490_980118185347808_331957023002052577_o.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<b style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"> So Much To Love.......</span></b></div>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><i><b><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The smile on your face when you wake and see me</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The amazing father you are to our boys</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">When your foot finds mine as we fall asleep</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your kiss before you leave for work and the two upon your return</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your patience, kindness, devotion and loyalty to our family</span></b></i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><b><i>Who we are together and who we are individually </i></b></span></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<i><b><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The look in your eye when we see each other across a crowded room</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your comfort and strength when my heart so needs it</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your quirky humor and laughter</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your touch</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span></b></i></div>
<div style="text-align: left;">
<i><b><i style="line-height: 1.38;"><b><span style="font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline;">The amazing talents you have </span></b></i></b></i></div>
<i><b><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Your "let's try" attitude</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Cooking our Valentine meal together </span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Supportive of my endeavors</span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Giving me the last bite</span></b></i><br />
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>Your ideas</b></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>The comfort your hug provides</b></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>Singing loud in the car with me</b></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>Wanting me</b></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>Hard working </b></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>Accepting my quirks, limitations and late night questions </b></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>Your willingness</b></i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>When we slow dance </b></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>The way you ease my mind</b></i></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i><b>Your generous heart</b></i></span></div>
<span id="docs-internal-guid-52a2cb8b-e212-09f5-a39d-8e7c222b1442"><i><b><br /><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">For being who you are!</span></b></i></span>Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-70526944988380214342016-02-01T20:40:00.003-05:002016-02-01T20:40:36.376-05:00Tips For Connecting With Your Life.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGReele0cQyzsPkIjRB45vGDXIF6nH9vLkHqfBOm5ziXkj10SSn6Og69iy2cDQNcE1JUwcEa-zMh08qZJOzg7NfHCDTaJoiybKjbuZx_TDuuN6cm0KVvGUaib8AFycimWaqdps9lvzwdQ/s1600/silver+bracelets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGReele0cQyzsPkIjRB45vGDXIF6nH9vLkHqfBOm5ziXkj10SSn6Og69iy2cDQNcE1JUwcEa-zMh08qZJOzg7NfHCDTaJoiybKjbuZx_TDuuN6cm0KVvGUaib8AFycimWaqdps9lvzwdQ/s400/silver+bracelets.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><b>Looking for ideas to help Connect With Your Life? Here's a few of mine.........</b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Each morning smile and welcome the day</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Brush your teeth with your non dominant hand</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sing in the car</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Give out 5 compliments</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Initiate a hug with a loved one, and hold just that little bit longer</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sit in silence and listen to your heart</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do something spontaneous</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Commit to being positive..it's a choice</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Laugh regularly</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Drink more water</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Accept help when it is offered</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Practice compassion</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Hold your face to the sun and give thanks</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Try a new food</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">List 4 things from the day you are grateful for</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Treat yourself kindly</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Cross something off your To Do list without even doing it</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Before you get aggravated with a coworker, stop and think "is it worth it"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Send a note to a loved one telling them their qualities you admire</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Get more sleep</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Park a little further away, take the stairs and jump rope</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Buy a pack of gum (sugar free of course) and have a bubble blowing contest</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Plan YOU time</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Log how much time you spend on your phone and reduce the time each day</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Dance!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Sing in the shower</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Turn off the TV</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Make a time capsule</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Acknowledge some one's pains and struggles</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Just listen </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Say I'm sorry</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Perform Random Acts of Kindness weekly</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Do something out of your comfort zone</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Take chances</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">You don't always have to be right </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Smile at a stranger</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Take a walk</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Show appreciation more frequently</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Slow dance</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Write down a story from your childhood</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Let your guard down</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Ask for help when you need it</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Wear something that you normally wouldn't</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Lend a hand</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Anticipate others needs</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">The split second before you go to do something...stop & really notice, be in the moment</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Use positive words like "that means a lot", "I'm here if you need me" and "You've got this"</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Practice patience with yourself and others</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">Breathe!</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-57375249647596968972016-01-24T13:03:00.000-05:002016-01-24T13:03:09.005-05:00It's a New Day..............<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3sW9fgXgITLg6Jnb-3o3QQaKLQBOlCGPn8oxTFgYPURf6rMktnyrAKCPqePiJSCDRESNngswW-zsQhxhKnF6TgkvwDabJA2X3KyzkOYHox4C0Uv9xjLGJIqw0uVCEgYtqvveSu9C-0Q/s1600/IMG_1251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg3sW9fgXgITLg6Jnb-3o3QQaKLQBOlCGPn8oxTFgYPURf6rMktnyrAKCPqePiJSCDRESNngswW-zsQhxhKnF6TgkvwDabJA2X3KyzkOYHox4C0Uv9xjLGJIqw0uVCEgYtqvveSu9C-0Q/s320/IMG_1251.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><b>"Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities have crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense."~Ralph Waldo Emerson </b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I am often encouraged by the thought of a new day, the promise it brings and the choices I will be faced with. Welcoming the belief...where there are choices, there are possibilities!!!</span>Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-21813457500730303862016-01-14T13:44:00.002-05:002016-01-14T13:44:12.103-05:00When We Look With Our Hearts.....<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8V4m-mXpsQ0h_43b8stPB1XGuSleGcVjgJRE6tp3LUJD_SfWAmlBmObhHoT4mfwhbV1IDlGXPihHWv_8knwu4M9yBk4PLNNexmyMzzHEgPh4rk0AI3nMreG8oJtOTCNELJSFpsp8Zrk/s1600/IMG_1198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8V4m-mXpsQ0h_43b8stPB1XGuSleGcVjgJRE6tp3LUJD_SfWAmlBmObhHoT4mfwhbV1IDlGXPihHWv_8knwu4M9yBk4PLNNexmyMzzHEgPh4rk0AI3nMreG8oJtOTCNELJSFpsp8Zrk/s320/IMG_1198.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First Thought: Really? What a mess!! Can't anyone besides me clean up!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When I really looked:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>How Blessed I am to share a studio sink with artists I love dearly</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>and have this fun abstract image as a result!</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwf-TeICoFQcdJwo7AqRauJ4WOeFFi9ixRijVAhV2ODkVodJej08nl5ZmMQQpqvHM8koyOXKHFMdWIUzgKEJMFX5SsT5b7copK7kVbjxwmXlSZRJCTKOVT0WyzlXVMVWZo-upibYFbjE/s1600/DSC09279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibwf-TeICoFQcdJwo7AqRauJ4WOeFFi9ixRijVAhV2ODkVodJej08nl5ZmMQQpqvHM8koyOXKHFMdWIUzgKEJMFX5SsT5b7copK7kVbjxwmXlSZRJCTKOVT0WyzlXVMVWZo-upibYFbjE/s320/DSC09279.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">First thought: pretty obvious...I need to dust!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
When I really looked:</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>Removing the antique lace really lets the beauty of not dusting </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><i>shine through </i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5MqwXenjPjBjUFWsgJkcogVP5WVfEpBIYmDh0ZDBt8hJDKTun5mQnogpMs3AKu7HSETFXfj1grWsXsXMpsw7Lv7V5n-pz789BP0yO8ibQpzhljLAYk0uWkuUpOvgxEE-aH_hOU7JlwQ/s1600/IMG_0665.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje5MqwXenjPjBjUFWsgJkcogVP5WVfEpBIYmDh0ZDBt8hJDKTun5mQnogpMs3AKu7HSETFXfj1grWsXsXMpsw7Lv7V5n-pz789BP0yO8ibQpzhljLAYk0uWkuUpOvgxEE-aH_hOU7JlwQ/s320/IMG_0665.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
First Thought: Toss out this shredded packing</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">When I really looked:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">The beautiful shape of a fabulous heart rock I received</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">from an awesome guy on the west coast that I love calling my son!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">(who is moving back east in three weeks)</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">My gentle reminder for today Dear Readers.... there are many ways to look at things. In a <a href="http://amzn.to/1n2SS6b">Where's Waldo</a> kind of way, look for various options and select the one that finds the good, the happier, the kinder and the less stress resulting.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">In my next post I'll share how I apply this approach in a variety of situations and the positive results I've discovered.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Now, that being said there's not always a storybook ending....but a girl can dream ~ </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-35078163468457091452016-01-03T13:56:00.001-05:002016-01-03T13:56:07.966-05:00Less Is More....<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBCe_yh9DNnfeQcrbC2FrkbJB-F1-QTQjkztd_c-M0-XaN3FPypUdVDnp7Qj3yK-4Si9tNISc8Uhyqrrq8i84denbee1DkvgqxvM5pI_630LNrrQM4FEqvp94hQjwBEQRQDoMe4BIagI/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfBCe_yh9DNnfeQcrbC2FrkbJB-F1-QTQjkztd_c-M0-XaN3FPypUdVDnp7Qj3yK-4Si9tNISc8Uhyqrrq8i84denbee1DkvgqxvM5pI_630LNrrQM4FEqvp94hQjwBEQRQDoMe4BIagI/s200/IMG_1194.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Organizing begins of closet and life</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Few days in to the new year and I'm thinking about all my "would like to accomplish" things, however not to get overwhelmed I think about what I've actually achieved so far:</span><div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Began organizing the annex closet <b>√</b> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Back to eating consciously <b>√</b> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Less online time just surfing around <b>√ </b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jumped rope <b>√</b> </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mindful/reflective time to listen in the silence <b>√</b></span><div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let's not get carried away and overwhelm ourselves with making our goals and wishes of change or additions crazy out of reach! Remember we want to succeed. I find in achieving the small things a momentum starts to build and we can kick start our own accomplishments and be energized to do more. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The way I offer looking at it today Dear Readers is this, whatever we do, however small in an effort for change, it is MORE than if we haven't done anything at all! </span></div>
</div>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Each task or challenge is an opportunity to <b><i>Connect With Your Life</i></b>!!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Go ahead, what are you going to make happen today?</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-10525446589435058612015-12-29T14:07:00.001-05:002016-01-14T13:48:23.745-05:00Back On My Bus.......<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMR6tUYhaYxyS6Tp0U19ijA8UNKr91lG_cW4K10_Btuu-EoyqXeoXdV6fLM_J-oXKSxIIXbd_anenqlRk5LQhQvbpLvpFGuoBUCfrC-witJFzX_e8p5Ga7f1PlHIjzurOlOPYbpYholA/s1600/12359987_1283585375001086_396705509981120661_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMR6tUYhaYxyS6Tp0U19ijA8UNKr91lG_cW4K10_Btuu-EoyqXeoXdV6fLM_J-oXKSxIIXbd_anenqlRk5LQhQvbpLvpFGuoBUCfrC-witJFzX_e8p5Ga7f1PlHIjzurOlOPYbpYholA/s320/12359987_1283585375001086_396705509981120661_n.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As a follow up to my very previous post on November 7th I must share.......</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">The thought of exhaling, listening for the whisper and reveling in "what's next" has in fact been claustrophobic, stressful and very confusing. It hit me this morning that the holidays was a ridiculous time to seek such revelations of "finding a new" and paying attention to mindful existence beyond the Joys of Christmas. The hustle and bustle, though enjoyable in it's own right, was too consuming to think the past 8 or so weeks could be allocated for much else.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So here we are in the midst of end of the year reflection and I have to be honest I'm feeling like a hot mess! Phew letting it out feels a bit better. It is my self imposed pressure (once again) to desire an end result, how to get there, all the while not quite certain what IT even is! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have to imagine that I am not the only one feeling like this???... emotionally and physically exhausted, scattered and sluggish from eating too many sweets, carbs and not so healthy food?? The task of making "things right" again is daunting and feeling far from my reach.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Well it did feel far from my reach until I sat down today and reread some of my previous blog posts and was reminded of the process and steps that have encouraged and made a difference for me in the past. I have in fact felt this very way and moved through it to a place that feels much more comfortable and welcoming. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Ironically what I was taking a break from (posting to this blog), was what helps me stay balanced and in check I guess. As I read through, the "getting back on track" felt a bit more attainable! Like seeing a long lost friend, I welcomed the feelings of familiarity.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">As I have mentioned several times before, the ups, downs and let's not forget sideways, are all part of Life's journey! My goal has always been to share mine with you, opening up as much as feels comfortable. Unfortunately, some where along the way it got muddied up and I lost sight of the process, questioned myself to a fault and needed to retreat a bit.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Realizing that NOT sharing the "muddied up" part can actually be a disservice for both of us...which is far from my reason for posting.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So the take away from today's posting Dear Readers: If you too are feeling stuck, sluggish and befuddled, don't be confused and overwhelmed by feeling it will last forever. Instead take the opportunity to make choices, changes and begin the process of "feeling better" mentally and physically.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Best place to start is: 1. Be kind to yourself and don't expect speediness and answers right away. Perhaps if we had a decoder ring the job would be easier...but quite honestly it would not be as rewarding. </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">2. Read this previous post that offers motivation & encouragement.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><a href="http://morethanmomthoughts.blogspot.com/2014/07/do-you-need-band-aid.html"><span style="color: purple;">Do You Need A Band Aid</span></a> </span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></b>
<b style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">3. Pick a person ~ be each others cheerleader. We all have something we are working on and knowing we are not alone makes it so much easier & much more fun.</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>4. Select one or two things you will make happen (daily or weekly) either at all or more than you are now. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Here goes, I'll start with: For me I've realized it's important to be feeling my best inside and out to take on discoveries and journeying.</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> In an effort to make that happen, I will <b>unplug more</b>. Facebook and Words With Friends time will be diminishing. Damn technology for being such a time zapper! AND I will <b>"move" more</b>...can't come right out and say exercise because that's just setting myself</span><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"> up to fail....been there, done that!</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br /></span></i>
<span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Go ahead and get back on your bus...even if you are not sure where it's going just yet. Surprises and rewards await you!!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-793216866253800302015-11-07T10:41:00.000-05:002015-11-07T10:41:29.148-05:00Shhh...Can You Hear It???<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9pB3tGfE1dlQmalIr5w3DhSJ6jBgkLPIJESSVcoU6ZO1H5NGIckmeK8gL4KU2xuqayQaMsiTiDLoAIpFypT6qiXOZFl0uJZszcB767hyphenhyphennqaeuLT2O85DxxkRYyOfqmKmnaLbptXRBBA/s1600/IMG_0872.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEit9pB3tGfE1dlQmalIr5w3DhSJ6jBgkLPIJESSVcoU6ZO1H5NGIckmeK8gL4KU2xuqayQaMsiTiDLoAIpFypT6qiXOZFl0uJZszcB767hyphenhyphennqaeuLT2O85DxxkRYyOfqmKmnaLbptXRBBA/s320/IMG_0872.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes in the the quiet we can hear so much! The whisper becomes a little louder, the message becomes a little clearer! So why is it that if silence provides answers, we do not seek it more regularly?</span></b></i><br />
<br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Through some soul searching and deciphering, I have realized, for me, it is because often the whisper and the message feel unknown, uncomfortable and unsettling...but through each of those feelings something new, exciting and rewarding can be revealed. </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I'm feeling it's time for me to take a mini hiatus from writing....though posting hasn't been regular, it has remained as a "get to that would ya"!</span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I will listen for whispers and challenge the uncomfortable, in the belief that I will revel in the sweet rewards...for both myself and others. </span></b></i><br />
<i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></i>
<i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Follow your hearts Dear Readers and to quote my amazing, free spirited 18 year old son </span></b></i><i><b><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">"you do you"!</span></b></i><br />
<br />Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-17034622749655342932015-10-23T14:29:00.000-04:002015-10-23T14:29:40.003-04:00You Have To Really Want It......<div style="text-align: left;">
</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDtQnXPDUU6Octszwgmi7D18IpGanL3t-6uzdHBd3vbPRk_T2jlYctDAtq6IG3VuDH8KEhBytcXXnNe-nVDoKlbw7aO7pnY06zRSkxlnvJjzyVuYrroVGs35P7uhByfi_-sYToacM1Ko/s1600/SAM_1043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeDtQnXPDUU6Octszwgmi7D18IpGanL3t-6uzdHBd3vbPRk_T2jlYctDAtq6IG3VuDH8KEhBytcXXnNe-nVDoKlbw7aO7pnY06zRSkxlnvJjzyVuYrroVGs35P7uhByfi_-sYToacM1Ko/s320/SAM_1043.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top of Mt. Wilson ~ California</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">OK so here's the thing...I have started numerous posts in the last two days (after returning home from flying cross country to see my oldest son) and each post goes in a direction different from my original intent. </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is it...the message I want to share today Dear Readers is, "when you think there is something you cannot do, because of fear, obstacles or personal labels...think again".</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yes, it will be very difficult, get ugly and feel like there is no way you can accomplish it....but keep in mind, beyond it is where you want to be, and YOU CAN get yourself there! </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Take comfort and strength in knowing <b>"there is freedom pass the fear"! </b>It doesn't necessarily feel like it at the time, and perhaps it's in the reflecting once the numbness and the feeling you've been hit by a mac truck begins to subside...but you will come to that moment when you realize, freedom from the fear is within your reach!</span></i><i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i>
<i><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>You've got this...you have to really want it...and this mama really wanted to see her boy!</b></span></i><br />
<br />Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-42518667165077645552015-09-20T17:58:00.001-04:002015-09-20T20:19:58.296-04:00Gentle Reminder.........<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSUEe8Ic1dUqM5zqFK44CVghlfSPbZEoyQc7mGy1stslojbJ9dR7E__JaGQhI9eVVG5DK05Tf2E2CP-0-iaeYBbwybj7jfkedcQjlfX4W0OXvrORRW4CD_yj0uwS0dt8oSUhO0w-0jzY/s1600/IMG_0623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBSUEe8Ic1dUqM5zqFK44CVghlfSPbZEoyQc7mGy1stslojbJ9dR7E__JaGQhI9eVVG5DK05Tf2E2CP-0-iaeYBbwybj7jfkedcQjlfX4W0OXvrORRW4CD_yj0uwS0dt8oSUhO0w-0jzY/s320/IMG_0623.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My husband (of 26 years...yikes) and I left this past Friday night with a weekend get away plan.......<b><i>Disconnect to stay connected!</i></b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">With Life wildly busy and chock full of things to do, we decided to sneak away for a weekend of very limited technology...no nonsense talk about all we have to do for our upcoming events or discuss decisions we need to make regarding emptying the septic, how damp the basement is and if anything is growing down there or the hole that has been in the dining room ceiling for over 6 months from when I jumped up to see if the "spot was still wet from the upstairs bathroom leak" and my fingers poked right through....who knew I could jump with such great force! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Leaving those and all similar topics aside, we headed out for a weekend by the water to share in relaxation and connecting!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Full length conversations, reflections of years gone by and sharing dreams and future plans, along with laughter, sunrises, reading for hours and yummy food...started to work their magic.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We felt stresses drift away and a peacefulness wash over us, offering a sense of new energy to bring home with us. Now that's a souvenir! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As the trip came to a close, I was reminded that all that we enjoyed is also at our fingertips at home. OK not the ocean...but the disconnecting from technology and each curling up with a book, chatting about "fun stuff" and limiting conversation of all that is on our TO DO lists from time to time (I will try and stop jumping, so that should help)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Make the effort too Dear Readers and feel the benefits it provides. It makes the mundane and day to day feel just that bit easier to handle and perhaps the sink full of dirty dishes won't make you shout from the roof top "for the love of all things human....am I the only one who knows how to use the dish washer!!!!" Or is that just me who gets cranky sometimes??</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-4801712691485916592015-09-13T11:06:00.001-04:002015-09-13T11:06:27.195-04:00Strength In The Darkness.............<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuqA7QfLo47wlVIN7Te3VOv9I7HpiUy9Soz7ot_S7oDcnVXN-FN-spS_ggVhJq73v-neeETWBmsVT_qTl735A7lvLR5n3HBWoVvhgrUlPKsVTPTQ39YUOTHkirqBR1Q-7kzi8C8TzCrg/s1600/IMG_0591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuqA7QfLo47wlVIN7Te3VOv9I7HpiUy9Soz7ot_S7oDcnVXN-FN-spS_ggVhJq73v-neeETWBmsVT_qTl735A7lvLR5n3HBWoVvhgrUlPKsVTPTQ39YUOTHkirqBR1Q-7kzi8C8TzCrg/s320/IMG_0591.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sometimes beauty is in front of us, like these heartfelt sunflowers I came home to. With their punch of color & promise of happiness each time I look at them, I smiled and gave thanks.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Beauty and Blessings are not always this easy to see, and I feel the searching during times of darkness can truly reveal the breath of life we are so needing to find.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Words of encouragement to family, friends and you Dear Readers who may need a reminder that the Blessings are there..and for now if you need...you can use this sunflower and the promise of times getting easier and you feeling stronger because of it and being reminded of how strong you truly are!</b></span>Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-75359025947834837972015-09-05T11:37:00.000-04:002015-09-05T11:37:09.599-04:00James Taylor Wisdom.....................<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBQJzxThTG6JwS0d9cOwpwd5PV03G2pcbxSaeeKoLKjpwB1CKG6lTUJFl6vM_wMRn95sXmBcqmEt0SPEb95Otm_wdX0RDBb6L-3mdXSN0t3TB1SP4gy0_kP2yYaM7zNcC3YUHQuiSQ6c/s1600/beach-chairs-209769_640.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVBQJzxThTG6JwS0d9cOwpwd5PV03G2pcbxSaeeKoLKjpwB1CKG6lTUJFl6vM_wMRn95sXmBcqmEt0SPEb95Otm_wdX0RDBb6L-3mdXSN0t3TB1SP4gy0_kP2yYaM7zNcC3YUHQuiSQ6c/s320/beach-chairs-209769_640.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>As summer winds down here on the East Coast (by the calendar anyway...not by the forecast) I think about what I accomplished and didn't the past couple of months! </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>In the "not so much" category was housework... which is fine by me, because quite honestly summer and housework should only be in the same sentence if separated by the words "not a priority to me".</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>So this morning, to kickoff Labor Day weekend I decided to do just that, a bit of labor, for an hour. I cranked 'ole reliable James Taylor and got to sprucing up the place.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>My take away from the task was much more about the music and much less about what I was doing. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>JT's words resonated and spoke to me...once again!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>My favorite for today was the line "the secret of life is enjoying the passage of time, any fool can do it....."! How great & true is that!?!? If you'd like to give a listen, here is a great version on <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yHWHPPHpAj8">YouTube</a>: </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Take a moment Dear Readers and think about how you can make it part of your own life. Make choices that enhance your days.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Let the house work, or whatever your "thing" is, go from time to time...listen to your heart and make happen all you can to create a Lifetime of <i>enjoying the passage of time</i>.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It's a beautiful way to <i>Connect With Your Life!</i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><i>Thanks Mr.Taylor..words to live by!</i></b></span>Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-91171929617161184252015-08-26T12:45:00.002-04:002015-08-26T12:45:58.057-04:00Sprinkles A Must ..............<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4kJuBcyrIERh94jVaVjw27prR59__B6TKmh1CBadNWpnFJvnOxYBMipyUH-AUge3t42A6G8e0DsYH5GXNCg5s6ZES8G3rQ1_HKqqdJLHSqCTZF88NCNe68Yd1EuspAPljcB5av1aFRM/s1600/IMG_0561.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy4kJuBcyrIERh94jVaVjw27prR59__B6TKmh1CBadNWpnFJvnOxYBMipyUH-AUge3t42A6G8e0DsYH5GXNCg5s6ZES8G3rQ1_HKqqdJLHSqCTZF88NCNe68Yd1EuspAPljcB5av1aFRM/s400/IMG_0561.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> <b> It Starts With A Dream.........</b></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>Recently had a great conversation with a friend! I explained my theory of filling parts of your days/ nights/ weekends, whenever you can.... with things that feed your soul and adds purpose!</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>As a result it makes the things you don't want to be doing....work, errands, housework, you name it, a bit more do able. For example while at work and wanting to be doing something else, I have started shifting my thoughts and taking a portion of my earnings and designating it for goals. Gives more meaning to putting in time at work, knowing a piece of it has a bigger meaning than just paying bills of now.</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>So for me, of late, it has been daydreaming and goal setting my future filled with a bit of entrepreneurship, touching lives and artful endeavors with my live in artist in residence, I love calling my husband!</b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>My thought is this...whatever I want to do with my life needs to start with desire...sprinkled with daydreaming, believing, planning and a notebook to capture it all. From magazine clippings, to spewing ideas and capturing them in words, to saving money along the way....I'll get there...and either way, the process is a whole lot of fun and more what it is about!!! </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b><br /></b></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><i><b>So get to sprinkling Dear Readers. It's a great way to Connect With Your Life! </b></i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTdA9cuiLsfYsobjxYpPf97ig8Sl5jDN6P3epcdmFld1vBO1flfNNkXuZ1TL7XQVnJsS0j8wgF-BAd_DT8QH7nBWCjM07VtmhLT3oiMr02gkXAw9VXUamU8uoFH62f7DBRsPH7Pv5C8Q/s1600/4911180896_bf421dbf5e_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfTdA9cuiLsfYsobjxYpPf97ig8Sl5jDN6P3epcdmFld1vBO1flfNNkXuZ1TL7XQVnJsS0j8wgF-BAd_DT8QH7nBWCjM07VtmhLT3oiMr02gkXAw9VXUamU8uoFH62f7DBRsPH7Pv5C8Q/s400/4911180896_bf421dbf5e_o.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-1830216264498174802015-08-06T21:03:00.001-04:002015-08-06T21:03:34.469-04:00Get Lost...............<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnL2-fNHSvY0KrTFxPMei2ke_MCuDOQJ2GDuPP186eiTa0_NFq_lL7ci9P986c1dGDOsf2RQYOA0Yr1s-b0lNe7UEh5onlnUwYxY-hPstb1YGmWIwxnBYi_eb_n___DrccJaGhPS661M/s1600/IMG_0422.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRnL2-fNHSvY0KrTFxPMei2ke_MCuDOQJ2GDuPP186eiTa0_NFq_lL7ci9P986c1dGDOsf2RQYOA0Yr1s-b0lNe7UEh5onlnUwYxY-hPstb1YGmWIwxnBYi_eb_n___DrccJaGhPS661M/s320/IMG_0422.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Make it a point to get lost in the clouds ........</span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE2xLqNToLyREepHeBx5a8kPEDphQJDxgsTJWy2jxnf1wGGCg_EJ34In_kN7hPQh1jBjqhbGncds2DixWMV9iJcJofXf1sudS6SNssWqj2LPqxtMXjBpI1hAf0gEwY8XNFVPjG7XyGpQ/s1600/il_340x270.466800611_lyog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="254" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYE2xLqNToLyREepHeBx5a8kPEDphQJDxgsTJWy2jxnf1wGGCg_EJ34In_kN7hPQh1jBjqhbGncds2DixWMV9iJcJofXf1sudS6SNssWqj2LPqxtMXjBpI1hAf0gEwY8XNFVPjG7XyGpQ/s320/il_340x270.466800611_lyog.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lost in a dance....</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUJQ1rRdLgT4ZeS3ImHZ8eay90qcpkMmX4lILVUBjFrFEUyuHSdYwUR_psdGQsA5o1gvGSxWUUkxzjsQyyp0o2SvLqGw8E-r3h2VnZLP38Wnjp4Z8QgAAWGhb-sBlKqHhAhkjdb_PGMY/s1600/IMG_5812.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMUJQ1rRdLgT4ZeS3ImHZ8eay90qcpkMmX4lILVUBjFrFEUyuHSdYwUR_psdGQsA5o1gvGSxWUUkxzjsQyyp0o2SvLqGw8E-r3h2VnZLP38Wnjp4Z8QgAAWGhb-sBlKqHhAhkjdb_PGMY/s320/IMG_5812.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lost in a kiss......</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Because when we get lost......we can really find ourselves!</span></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b><i><br /></i></b></div>
Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-68470487103605637312015-07-30T11:55:00.002-04:002015-07-30T11:55:30.742-04:00Patio Pleasures..............<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNSeicxFDRfwnCyF-a2LYh1_xzHeq7dP33Rs_JwypVDc05h41b1yJE0f7tbEhUab6lnRcEh3cHJCBo4lOz8HRidAXnYudwDE2C1No77tt68_av8fGMpwMa_Q22jHSfGKBLhNJmSh35jw/s1600/FullSizeRender.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNNSeicxFDRfwnCyF-a2LYh1_xzHeq7dP33Rs_JwypVDc05h41b1yJE0f7tbEhUab6lnRcEh3cHJCBo4lOz8HRidAXnYudwDE2C1No77tt68_av8fGMpwMa_Q22jHSfGKBLhNJmSh35jw/s320/FullSizeRender.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting unstuck this morning!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>My previous post spoke of getting stuck in our lives! In order to "snap out of it" we need to make conscious choices. Now I'm not talking overhauls...that's a whole other direction (that I mentally play around with and will write about at another time). </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>I'm talking about small tweaks to our day that makes us smile, adds levity to the mundane and brings a bit of joy to both ourselves and others....we are just more pleasant to be around. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Today I made a choice to get up a bit earlier to sit on the patio (after smiling in bed with my eyes closed and committing to making an effort today...which only makes sense if you read my <a href="http://connectwithyourlife.blogspot.com/2015/07/finding-change.html"><span style="color: #4c1130;">previous post</span></a>) </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>That 15 minutes on the patio, feeling the coolness of the day (expected to hit 90 degrees today) watching a tiny brown squirrel jump from tree to tree and a bunny eat my perennials (REALLY bunny??? ok....happy place....happy place) allowed me to be in the moment and provide something for me to draw from later in the day.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b>Find your little somethings, Dear Readers! Feel the moments of joy they can bring...The choice is yours!</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3111002833899635967.post-65776477920281247392015-07-26T14:25:00.001-04:002015-07-26T14:25:51.980-04:00Finding Change.......<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAIJiGYmFXG8Do0uFT1RzC8fv5Al-WVFber35g5I3Jnb2-SqCLQ3KcL60hLyG5K2ljxNh1-1U5NWa3MuzYHmwfwYO2zB3Q1ey3ZiAq7t3saRtSjRYfL0Edz_p9Fazn8VkOJIoEsLeCLU/s1600/IMG_0406.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTAIJiGYmFXG8Do0uFT1RzC8fv5Al-WVFber35g5I3Jnb2-SqCLQ3KcL60hLyG5K2ljxNh1-1U5NWa3MuzYHmwfwYO2zB3Q1ey3ZiAq7t3saRtSjRYfL0Edz_p9Fazn8VkOJIoEsLeCLU/s320/IMG_0406.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Taking a ride..to change the scenery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>There are many ways to get stuck! In mud, in a situation, in traffic or how about stuck in a zippered dress in a store changing room that you really thought you could squeeze into?!... No! me neither on that last one!</i></b></span><br />
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>The STUCK I am talking about today is..... in Life! That's me every once in a while! Hadn't originally realized it on my own, but in fact I was.... stuck in the routine of my days, just going along and not hearing the whispers. The whispers of gratitude and inspiration go missing, so I had thought....in fact they were there all along!</i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i><br /></i></b></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><b><i>During one of these times a Dear Friend said to me "you're stuck"! and it resonated a big 'ole Cher in Moonstruck moment..."Snap Out Of It"!!! <a href="https://www.google.com/search?es_sm=122&q=snap+out+of+it+moonstruck&revid=458807131&sa=X&ved=0CIcBENUCKAJqFQoTCOuyroSq-cYCFYmgPgod2skCWA&biw=1430&bih=762"><span style="color: #660000;">(see that clip here)</span></a></i></b></span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Dear Readers, we all get stuck and I believe we all have the ability to ease those times....I have found incorporating simple tips into my day, the stuck times are less frequent and the less stress is greater! Worth a try? Here's one I like... smile upon waking in the morning (ideally before opening your eyes) feel that quick moment of silliness and commit to making an effort to approach things differently today! </span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Throughout the day, allow yourself to take four seconds to decide before something bothers you. Consciously decide... is it worth it?? Letting it go will deposit "change" into your emotional bank to draw from. The more you deposit clearly the more you have!</span></i></b><br />
<b><i><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></i></b>
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>In my next few posts I will share suggestions for you to consider adding to your Life! Together we've got this ~ Connect With Your Life!</i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i><br /></i></b>
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Cheers!</i></b><br />
<b style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"><i>Maria</i></b><br />
<br />
<br /></div>
Maria Holmehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05791874275959099430noreply@blogger.com0