Gratitude ......

I have so much to be thankful for and when I think about it, I can be a tad emotional.  I have finally given myself permission to just dance, dance and dance like there is no one watching.  You will hear this from me a lot this year, because I want to.  Every year I want to do things and I don't or can't because life gets in my way....not this year if I can help it. Now to share a few things that I definitely am grateful to be able to claim:

my job and all that it entails;

my sister-girlfriend who was having a medical event today (of course we thought it was a bit more than that) I drove her to the hospital, sat and waited until she was cleared and armed with meds and then delivered her home - with a sigh of relief and giving MANY THANKS that all will be fine as soon as she gets the Valium and muscle meds in her system.  25 years later and we still watch each others back - aging is not always beautiful;

my other sister girlfriend who gave me reason to pause while she was here visiting from Ghana.  Sharing stories of post-High school adventures and life lessons and missions - what a reality check for both of us and a re-bonding of kindred spirits.  30+ years later and Prayerfully we will never lose touch again;

my Aminia  who is always there to greet me after a good day or a bad day, after a happy moment or a tearful moment.  She waits up with me, as I read and write until the wee hours of the night and when it is her bedtime, no matter what I am doing, she will come and nudge me as if to say "Bedtime mommy"......or "you finally made a space for me on the office floor with a small heater for my achy hips".  Aminia also follows me around in the garden, to be sure I do not over do it or forget about her......more than likely it is the latter...she always knows the RIGHT time for a rub/hug;

blogging - the ability to have found a way to have a voice, share and write and dance.....such a freeing and motivating thing to be able to do, with total abandon..

I could go on with a few dozen other things, but for today, I just had to get these thoughts out of my head so I could perhaps rest well knowing that it is such a terrific way to feel.  This gratitude thing could be, should be contagious.......it is such a beautiful thing to have gratitude each and everyday.

It's that time again......Personal Commitment to Self Time

Here we are again.  It is the end of 2013 and we are about to embark upon 2014.  The question in the air - as it always is, this time  the year - is What are your New Year Resolutions going to be??  My answer will be the same as last year.  I do not make New Years Resolutions, instead I make Personal Commitments to Self. What will I personally commit to doing for ME as I enter a New Year.  I know it sounds selfish but bear with me.

Most people can write down a laundry list of resolutions that they forget within the first two weeks.  One might mention it to others, but the follow through is often non-existent. Drinking less, not working too late, reading more, cooking more, etc.  - these are some of the resolutions my friends are sharing with me. While all of these things are good, they speak to behaviors and not to the core of what are you going to do for YOU. 

Will you decide to help others less fortunate than you?  This will enhance your attitude of gratitude.  Will you teach someone a skill that can better their chances of survival in today's world? This will enhance your feeling of self worth and helping create a kinder society. Will you pitch in when you see another person struggling?  The opportunity to give a helping hand and teach someone to work smarter and not harder, just might make you do the same.  These are just a few examples of what we can do as a personal commitment to self to enhance our lives from within.   There is nothing wrong with drinking less, cooking more or making more time for self and doing the things you love to do, but we should incorporate sharing ourselves by volunteering and giving back, for that inner glow.

My personal commitment to self is to mentor a budding gardener and show him or her the joy of working with their hands. This will enable me to share a gift given to me by my parents. I will help another person enhance their skill set to empower his/her spirit and better their future.  After all, optimism breeds effort. I will help out at a shelter or food bank, so that the less than fortunate can be served. I will also, share in the growth of my community, to make it the best community in the area.  I will also teach myself a new skill - felting.  So I can use fibers to share all of the beauty that surrounds me.  Even while doing these things, I will also make more meaningful time for me.  Sharing is a beautiful thing and I am all about all things beautiful.....and dreaming about Parisian gardens, of course!

Life Gardening in the Bahamas.....

I do not know how to swim. I freely admit this. Although I just made a commitment to myself to find a class and learn within the next six months. Just another one of those perennial weeds from my Life Garden. However I did have a transforming moment while in the wonderfully clear water.

While married, we would take my daughters to the beach in Lewes, De. I would sit on the edge of the water and never even thinking about getting I the water all the way. In fact, the only time I ever did was while holding onto dear life on the arms of my ex-husband.  Afterall should a big wave come, he could save me from drowning. That was then........

Everything must change and with change comes new and different challenges and experiences... Just like in the garden, sometimes that plant that you just KNOW will be the hit of the season just fails miserably. Well, I have been flirting at how far into these waters would I be willing to go? This time , I do not have those broad shoulders to catch me should that big wave come. This time I had to rely on a whole lot of Faith and lil ole me. This time I did not flirt on the edge...I went into the Ocean so far, the water graced my face, this time I stood tall in the clear blue water......just me.  While testing my Faith, I did not fall or drown....nor was I scared.

God surely protects fools and babies and he certainly protects those who ignore the bigger than life weeds in their Life Gardens and plant positive perennials that will be present in their lives in the future. Check out your weeds in your Life Gardens and just step out on Faith as you eradicate them. You are stronger than you think!

Gee.....what will I learn next................................