Nobody can go back and start a new beginning, but anyone can start today and make a new ending. – Maria Robinson
Article written by contributor Harriet Cabelly.
I learned about the power of living Now while I sat day at my daughter’s bedside listening to the beeps, bleeps and other scary sounds emanating from the numerous machines she was hooked up to in an attempt to keep her alive.
I witnessed life’s fragility from the most horrific and terrifying perspective – that of a mother possibly losing her child. I watched and listened to her life hang by a thread as she was in an induced and paralyzed coma for three months.
Miraculously, Nava survived, and miraculously again made a complete recovery.
This death prospect is a part of life. But until it comes knocking on our door, we’re here to live. And since the When part of death is an obvious unknown, it’s up to us to live in the Now. Read more
Happiness is not something ready made. It comes from your own actions. – Dalai Lama
Article written by contributor Daniel Offer of Chit Chat for Facebook.
According to a 2006 report by Mark Easton of the BBC News, the remote Himalayan community of Bhutan has implemented a policy of Gross National Happiness, or GNH.
Similar to the more commonly recognized GDP or Gross Domestic Product, GNH is a government-implemented policy designed to ensure that decisions made by the government and laws enacted by the government are evaluated for their affect on the country’s GNH.
So, what is an individual’s happiness quotient, and how can a person increase their happiness quotient?
Critics argue that the Bhutan government’s implementation of a country-wide pursuit of happiness will mean sacrifices in material, or financial, growth for its people. Given that a majority of the people in Bhutan still live in poverty relative to the rest of the developed world, the critics may be right, but is the pursuit of happiness an unrealistic goal? Read more
If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, ‘thank you,’ that would suffice. – Meister Eckhart
The past three weeks have painful. Dealing with my brother’s death has been one of the most difficult things I’ve had to do. But there’s has been one steady, encouraging force during this time – the heartfelt support given to me.
Handwritten cards, emails, telephone calls, and blog comments have all given me much-needed medicine to counter the pain.
Now it’s my turn to give back.
Monday, October 31 is Halloween here in the US. It’s a day we dress up in scary or funny costumes and then go door-to-door asking for treats (at least our children do; we just eat the best treats afterwards). Halloween is one of my favorite times of the year. The crisp air and beautifully-colored leaves remind me that change is happening, again.
And with change, a peaceful renewal is born.
So, thank you for the comfort, love, and friendship. Open your trick-or-treat bag and allow me to give back a small portion of what you have given me. Read more
Nobody has ever measured, not even poets, how much a heart can hold. – Zelda Fitzgerald
Most poets, spiritualists, and even some medical doctors believe there is a mind-body-soul connection. Our hearts provide the source of power necessary for this connection. What’s in our hearts, the condition of our hearts and the size of our hearts determine how strong this connection can be and how long it may last.
On a functional level, we need our hearts to distribute blood throughout our bodies. On a spiritual level, we depend on our hearts to give nourishment to our souls. But, it’s an ebb and flow. Meaning, we need to give our hearts a reason a reason to stay alive or they will stop.
Becoming isolated from others, feeling discouraged and losing hope can shut down our hearts in the metaphorical sense. Left unattended for long, our minds, bodies and souls will soon begin to shut down in the physical sense as well.
During times when I feel my heart is shutting down, I rely on these ways to keep it alive: Read more
Sometimes being a brother is even better than being a superhero. – Marc Brown
My brother, Eric, died on Sunday, October 9. At the age of 51, he was taken too soon, and without notice. After several days of planning, I traveled to California to celebrate his life and to say goodbye.
My brother’s death may not make sense, but his life certainly did. Eric was a kind, generous man. No matter the circumstance, he would always choose to see the good in everyone. And no matter what, he saw the world as a good place to be.
Just two years apart, my brother and I were close. He called me Mouse because I was frail as a baby. But I think the real reason Eric called me Mouse was to make sure I remembered he was the older brother.
I tried to keep our connection alive a little longer by sending him emails after his death. The emails told my brother what I was doing, thinking and feeling. The emails helped me express my grief during a painful time. I’m sharing these emails to remind the world that Eric lived here and his goodness will live forever. Read more
“Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.” ~ Wayne Dyer
My brother, Eric, unexpectedly died on Sunday. At 51 years old, he was taken too soon. His wife, Karen, and friends live in the Los Angeles area. I will be traveling there later this week.
Please keep my brother and his wife in your prayers. While we are still seeking answers, we do know this: we all love Eric and know his soul is at peace.
If there are fences to mend, people to call, love to be shared, be sure to do it today; do it right now.
I will see you back here next week. Read more
Wisdom is nothing more than healed pain. – Robert Gary Lee
I didn’t realize I was still in pain.
My mother-in-law arrived in Kansas before Hurricane Irene arrived on the East Coast. Bertha is 81 years old and the possibility of being without electricity made the decision an easy one. While Miami was spared, we didn’t have the benefit of hindsight.
She returned to Florida last week. That’s when I felt the pain.
Origin
My mother died two years ago. Her death was self-inflicted. She didn’t commit suicide; her death was more of a slow burn. Years of substance abuse found its revenge.
My mom could have enjoyed time with her children and grandchildren; but she wanted to enjoy the bottle more. A mother’s choice, I suppose.
Forgiveness provided closure, but it hasn’t really soothed the pain. Read more
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