For me, it is a challenge with every person I come into contact with.

Whenever I find myself in the midst of the muck the first thing I tell myself is
“B R E A T H E”.

It is AMAZING how I hold my breath and don’t even realize it!

(FACEBOOK QUOTE: “Sometimes, you need to step outside, get some air, and remind yourself of who you are and who you want to be.”)

After I do that, I say “What am I NOT seeing? What is REALLY going on here?”

My instinct is to “defend” someone…. yes, I am a “protector” of the “underdog”. I always have been.

Yet I have learned that this view is not “complete”.

Does my protecting the underdog truly “serve” the underdog?
Does it “serve” the bully?
Does it “serve” only me?

I don’t know!

My life is a first-run movie. I can’t fast-forward to see the outcome!

I can only live in this ONE MOMENT. Right here. Right now.

I dive right into the “story line”, and there is no other way to “do” my life than to be totally immersed …. right? hmmmmmmmm…. I wonder….

Change it.
Change my view.
CHANGE MY THOUGHTS.
CHANGE MY LIFE.

Flip the coin and look at the other side.

I remind myself that for every “story” there is always a point of view for each “player”, plus one extra point of view for the “impartial observer”.

Feelings and emotions “tint” each player’s view.

The impartial observer can see things as they truly are at the exact moment they happen…. Free from “rules”. Free from “emotions”. Free from the “mortal trappings” of the illusion of our existence in this moment.

No. I’m not “perfect”. I’m not “better than” anyone else.
I mess up and make mistakes all the time.
Mistakes are the “tools” of learning!

I’m “feeling out” what I wish my life to be.

What do I want?
Whom do I want to be with?
Where do I want to be?
What “stuff” do I want with me?

As I absorb each moment of my life, as I ask myself all of these questions, I find myself…. well, I actually FIND myself. My true, authentic “self”!

I really really REALLY like, and even LOVE, my true, authentic self!

Many people live with the notion that if they don’t say something within the moment of a confrontation then they “lose” something. They lose their “edge”, or the “upper hand”.

I have found this to be an “old” and stale way of thinking.

I have noticed that when I pay attention to the situation and don’t “react”, that gives me “time”…. to check in with my true, authentic self…. to consider what is the most appropriate way to handle myself… to say something, or to say nothing at all.

Sometimes, when I say nothing at all, the person who is the confrontor is left hanging. Feet dangling over the edge of the precipice. Totally thrown off-balance. They don’t know what to do.

I really like that. =)

Most people have already planned a “script” in their minds. What they will say when they get the opportunity to “zing” someone.

When you INTERACT with someone, instead of REact to someone, their script dissolves. *poof!* Gone!

Then, for that one moment in time, THEY may catch a GLIMPSE at their core. THEIR true, authentic self! WHAT A GIFT!!

The wool that has been obstructing their eyes is REMOVED in that moment.

I know this from personal experience, because the wool has been removed from my view many times over the years. Many times I caught glimpses at my core self. And I HUNGERED for that! I had no idea how to access it.

SLOW. DOWN.

That is how.

B r e a t h e.

Ponder.

Reflect.

Consider.

Think.

And RE-think.

Be.

It’s a journey, not a destination.
It’s a process, not a result.

Enjoy this time, here in the physical world.

It’s fleeting.

Stay Tuned….

This new year is no different. I am proud of that. Maybe my recurring resolution is to not make resolutions? I don’t know.

Maybe in the past I would have titled this entry as “New Year, New Me”.

But I am not “new”.
I am evolving.

2012 is off to a roaring great start for me, and I intend to keep the boulder rolling. Let no moss grow under my feet!

So, Happy New Year to you and yours.

Stay Tuned….

Stay Tuned….

OK, so I know you are asking yourself “What is Shop With A Cop”?

In the state where my friend lives, this program is administered within each county depending upon police department participation: State; county; municipal; etc.

Children are recommended for participation in the program by police department members, school employees, social agencies and family shelters. Anyone can nominate a child who meets the criteria of being between the ages of six and eleven (6-11) and who has a social or economic need. The child must also not have participated in the past.

The decision is based on their family situation: Single parents; out-of-work parents; any kind of family hardship, etc. that would prevent the child from receiving gifts for Christmas.

The parent(s) are interviewed both via phone and in-person.

A committee then whittles the list down to the monies available. (100% of all monies are used for the kids. There are NO “administrative” or other “fees” taken out.) Programs allot the child anywhere from $50 and up.

The parent(s) make a list of what their child needs. Basic needs are met first (i.e. coat, boots, hat, gloves, scarf, etc), then “wants” are fulfilled as budget allows.

On the designated shopping day, the Officer picks up their assigned child in their police cruiser. They drive to a meeting place, and the group shares a meal together. After the meal, they get into their vehicles, put all the lights and sirens on, and caravan to the designated shopping venue.

The Officer is in charge of the list and the budget.

They shop together! I say, any reason to shop is golden in my eyes….

They proceed to the check out line. (USUALLY the store has a designated lane for checking out all the Shop With A Cop participants.) Some stores actually offer gift wrapping if the child wants to give a gift to a sibling, friend, parent, etc.

Then the Officer takes the child home along with all of their gifts!

My friend, the Officer pictured above, has been donating his time to this program for over 20 years now. He has sparked me to get it going here in my very own state.

I already have an appointment set with a lawyer to get the non-profit organization set up. I allow no moss to grow under my feet!

So, keep your eyes peeled and I will be updating you along the way!

Please remember to keep the true meaning of the holidays in your heart: Love, Compassion, Caring, and Selflessness.

Stay Tuned….

Stay Tuned….

My hands are, quite literally, tied. I live in another state. I don’t have much contact with their family. And, frankly, I’m super concerned for everyone involved.

This post is dedicated to them.

Don’t get me wrong, I have “lost” people in my life. One of them was my favorite uncle (Mike) when he was only 45 years old. I think of him, and miss him, every single day.

But I honestly do not have any experience with losing a child.

I would NOT wish that on even my most despised enemy.

I have been blessed to have some really fabulous people come into my life.

Recently, one person has shed some light on the subject of “family bereavement” for me. She is the widow, and her kids are still trying to “recover” from losing their father. It is from this person that I found out about a FABULOUS organization called “CZC” (Comfort Zone Camp).

This organization offers children between the ages of seven and seventeen the opportunity to attend camp at no cost to the family. If there is no camp located in the area where you live, you can choose one that fits your schedule and they work out all the transportation details.

It costs (approximately) $500 per child per camp session.

This camp is very low on funding.

If you wish to contribute money directly to the camp, then this is the link for you.

They also depend on volunteers to help each camp session function smoothly.

From my own experience, the holidays SUCK. There is not one single holiday that I do not think of my uncle. And I miss him. And it doesn’t ever go away.

If you know of a young person who is struggling with the loss of a parent or sibling, CZC is a beacon in the dark.

This website may help as well: Hello Grief. It has articles and even a section to write about your own experiences.

Stay Tuned….

To this I say PHOOEY!!

Why can’t I?

I helped someone today. Because of my help, a child gets to enjoy Christmas this year. =)

My heart and face have had a smile the size of the Grand Canyon plastered across them all day long. *huge grin*

“Even the smallest person can change the course of the future.”
~ Galadriel, The Lord of the Rings

This “do-gooder” stuff is really resonating within me. I am going to go find more good deeds to do!

Stay Tuned….

Usually, these tasks would be quite easy for me.

Especially on this most revered day.

Something is “off” inside of me today, though, and I’m not feeling the “thankful” energy.

Lists always help me, so here is my GRATEFUL list today….

I’m grateful for:
my friends.
my family.
my therapists – chiropractor, acupuncturist, etc.
my dog.
my car.
my technology – phone, computer, etc.
my willingness to learn.
my eagerness to share.
my intention of kindness.
my ability to love.

*sigh*

Stay Tuned….

“The act of thoughtful observation.”

Hmmmm….

It seems I have spent the majority of my lifetime in “thoughtful observation” of my thoughts, actions, words.

Some would say this is “instrospection”.

in·tro·spec·tion [in-truh-spek-shuhn] noun
1. observation or examination of one’s own mental and emotional state, mental processes, etc.; the act of looking within oneself.
2. the tendency or disposition to do this.
3. sympathetic introspection.

When I walk around with my eyes unfocused, my mouth set into a certain configuration, and my brain churning one hundred thoughts per second, I honestly do not know what word or words to use to describe it.

I am ALWAYS thinking!

Can I please turn my brain off for a while?

On that note, I have been practicing meditation.

My thoughts on this are “I always learn from my mistakes, so the mistakes I am making with my meditation practice will only help me to become better at meditation.”

Right?

Hmmmm….

I’ll let you know.

Stay Tuned….

I review books for a commercial website, and I was lucky enough to have the choice of this particular book for review.

I started reading it last night.

I’m amazed at how the Universe sends me exactly what I need exactly when I need it!

Although I do always say “The Universe never makes mistakes!”.

Stay Tuned….