Our Bliss Has Expanded

Since the flash of brilliance hit us to start this blog, most of us have created other web outlets for our thoughts. I thought some of y'all might like to know where you can find those.

Brian is sharing his smarts about all things social media and web development at his professional website, Anocial.

Ned Andrew can be found reading and writing and singing about his bliss at his personal website, Ned Andrew Solomon.

I'm almost certain Christine is out in the blogosphere somewhere. You might have to do some digging to find her, but it will be worth it.

My new website combines all of my passions into one space. I'm loving the continuity and hope you'll drop by here.

I may have to do some fancy talking and get Ellen her own site. She's got a lot of wonderful things to say. Of course, she's been the most consistent contributor here, and she may continue. :)

With abundant gratitude,
Gina ;~}

Christmas spirit

You know you have Christmas spirit when you just look at an artificial wreath and can smell the aroma of pine! Kind of gives you goosebumps.

Issues

Doesn't everyone have issues? Issues about health, family, finances--you name it. The problem I have, at times, is I over-think some issues. I can beat an issue to death if you let me think about it too long. I am trying, though, to give my issues over to God; heck, He can handle a lot more than I can. Problem is....sometimes I think He needs help. Guess what? He doesn't! When I get to the point of over-thinking, I try to find the place in my spirit where God takes control of my issues and brings peace to my mind.

Happy Quote

The belief that unhappiness is selfless and happiness is selfish is misguided.

--Gretchen Rubin

Happy Quote

Recovering your emotional health will suffuse even small successes with joy, long before you achieve anything obviously spectacular.

—Martha Beck

Happy Quote

It is said that when a butterfly flaps its wings, that energy flows thousands of miles away. And a silent blessing or thought of love toward others contains a vibration that will be felt throughout the cosmos.

--Wayne Dyer

The Art of Saying Yes!

After typing the title of this entry, the Jim Carey movie where he has to say yes to everything comes to mind. If you saw it, you will recall that he was quite the practiced curmudgeon and made himself -- and everyone around him -- pretty miserable. After he changes modes cool things start happening. He gets the girl, starts doing things he loves, and has a pretty wild ride... until it all goes horribly wrong.

I think that potential -- the part where the wheels come off -- is the reason so many of us are so practiced at turning down wonderful opportunities. We are intrigued, but then we start our litany of what-ifs and what-would-they-thinks and it's-too-good-to-be-trues.

We've learned -- often the hard way -- that it's a better bet to stick with the plan. Even if it makes us miserable.

You may have heard the term "calculated risk" bandied about. Finance people love it. Well, I am proposing a different approach. How about a calculated leap? A delicious risk?

The best thing about saying yes is that you get what you want on the other side of it! Expanding our options, offering gratitude, and leaping for those proverbial rings all allow new life into our days.

As the saying goes, "If you aim for the moon and miss, you are still among the stars."

So, next time someone offers you a chance of a lifetime, jump...

for joy!

Happy Lady

My Aunt Glenda was one of the happiest people I've ever known.

Now, this is particularly remarkable because, from all appearances, she had little or nothing to be happy about. She had cancer for about a decade and bounced from hospital to hospital enduring every possible torture in the form of treatment. Add to this picture a hard life in the Virginia mountains, raising two boys on one salary, isolated from the "stuff" that most of our family takes for granted.

But she had everything that mattered. She and my uncle seemed to adore one another. She laughed a lot -- often at herself -- and possessed a fearsome faith in a God that watched out for her and those she loved. She didn't claim to understand why she had cancer, but would point out that without it, she wouldn't have taken her witness beyond the road where she was born, lived, and died.

Every time I conjure up an image of Aunt Glenda she is smiling and laughing -- mane of red hair matching the blush that was often inspired by her realization that we were paying her any mind.

I left a pomegranate on her gleaming white casket. It seemed fitting... plump, red, and filled with little seeds. That happy lady certainly spread her share of little seeds... faith, laughter, humility, and hope.

Such a lovely, lovely legacy.

Happy Quote

We write to taste life twice -- in the moment and in retrospection.

-- Anaïs Nin

Blissfully Organized Life

A couple of years ago I picked up a book called The Life Organizer: A Woman's Guide to a Mindful Year by Jennifer Louden. I loved the pretty cover and the full-color pages filled with thoughtful ways to redefine the traditional day planner method of organizing days and weeks into a more organic, soul-flowing method of structuring my life.

The reality was that my time was not my own. I half jokingly told people that I wasn't allowed to write on my own calendar. The state department where I worked expected me to book their meetings first, other department meetings next, and somewhere down the list I was allowed to squeeze in my family's needs. My needs weren't even on the radar. Lunch was often a package of crackers on the elevator. How in the world was I going to shift from this hyper-structured life to basing my days on "what experience or feeling do I yearn for today?"

It felt like I was standing in the arctic circle longing for a beach vacation. The divide seemed uncrossable.

Fast forward two years.

In this time, I have made some changes. That state department job is a vague memory. I still work in the same field -- working toward an inclusive community where people are beloved and honored for their many assets and supported in those areas where they struggle -- but in a very different capacity.

My days are my own.

Sure, I still have schedules to follow -- dropping off and picking up children, appointments, meetings, and deadlines -- but there is a more organic flow to my days. I work from my home office overlooking nearly 7 acres of trees and grass. I allow margin in my days. There is time to think and read and study and prepare for those deadlines and meetings and appointments.

I am less available but more present.

Thanks, Jennifer, for sending the map to a way of life I didn't even know was possible.

It is bliss.

Love

You know what the most important thing in life is? Love. Love of God and love of family. It doesn’t get any better than that. Amen!

Rain

It has been so terribly hot and dry lately. A few mornings ago I opened my eyes and thought it was much too early to get up as it was still dark. Then I heard the soft rumbling of thunder in the distance. I smiled thinking that we were finally going to get some rain. And, I was right! When I did get up I had to turn on lights. I like those days when you can hear the rain falling; it makes things inside seem so much cozier.

Playing in the Dirt

Are we ever too old to play in the dirt? I don’t think so. The smell of the dirt tells you if it is truly good soil—soil that can grow flowers, vegetables, or grass. I really don’t mind getting dirty—it’s a good kind of dirty, don’t you think? We are spreading topsoil readying our backyard for sod. I look forward to having some green grass to walk barefoot in. Do you suppose we’re ever too old to walk barefoot?

Don't You Roll Your Eyes at Me....

My youngest daughter woke up a little too early and by her demeanor, needed more sleep. Softly I said "Bug, honey, go back to sleep." At which point she executed a perfect eye roll combined with a beautiful full neck extension head roll. Ahhhh yes. My baby girl is growing up....

Happy Quote

The most important question is not "What are we doing?" but rather "Who do we intend to become?"

~Max De Pree

Our Home

Not much makes me happier than spending time on this planet.

The movie Home is available on YouTube for free through June 14 through a donor's support. Go take a look.

Daydreaming

Daydreaming is God telling me to make a wish list. He’s so smart! What a sweet feeling having my mind drift away—I can be a kid again, plan my flower bed, look 20 lbs. lighter. Wow! Yes, it is a gift as long as I don’t overdo it. With the stresses of today I need these little vacations; who doesn’t? After all, some of the best ideas come about by someone daydreaming. So, when I have an especially busy day I enjoy getting a tap on my shoulder from God as He says, “time for recess; go out and play.” And, I do.

Strawberries!

Strawberries are so beautiful, even their remains! How many of us can say that?

Happy Quote

The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness. You have to catch it yourself.

--Benjamin Franklin

This Makes Me Laugh!

I don't even know where to start with this one.

As a Texan married to a New Yorker, I could have all sorts of fun arguing either side of the "Original Texas Toast" being made by "New York Brand."

Where I get stumped is the Caesar Crouton (French) Connection.

:)