Magic

Magic can happen in many forms, and is often subject to the beholder's point of view.  For instance, waking before everyone this morning, I took my shower to 'beat the rush', knowing we'd all be bustling out of the house for the Apple Cider Century ride, in which Kelly, Scott, Brad and DeChantel were participating. After my shower, as I walked into the dining room of our rented house, I saw a young deer in the front yard, looking for her morning breakfast.  I got a picture with my phone camera, and was pleased to have had the experience.  Then I rounded the corner into the kitchen and was delighted to see three more deer, including a little fawn.  I find deer to be magical animals, sleuthing for food in the early morning and at sunset.  I like that you have to be very still in order to observe them.  It is magical to find that quiet place within myself, to become one with nature.

Stay tuned, great things are happening all around!

Laughing is Good for the Soul

We spent a great day together, apple picking, finding a river view, wine tasting and a wonderful dinner by Kelly. But the thread thorough the day was that we laughed alot. Marie joined us and after the little ones went to bed, she spun stories that made us laugh out loud, a lot. Giggles, laughs, and more giggles. It is good for the soul. G'night!

Traditions

We begin a weekend that has become a family tradition, in Harbor Country, Michigan. We have been coming up for at least 7 or 8 years. The last three years we have rented the same house, and by now, it feels like coming "home" to our home away from home. We got a later start than we planned, with busy life commitments and things we needed to do. Packing up was a bit easier as we used Phil's van this year, which is a bit roomier than our cars. And the fun of getting on the road, knowing we'd have a good quality family time weekend was indescribable.

Kelly always plans the food and prepares - shopping, baking, cooking, planning menus of each meal. Tonight we got settled and found out our meat was left back in the fridge at home. No worries, off to Redamaks - one of Scott's favorite spots in New Buffalo, for burgers and a family dinner.

Now Phil is off to bed (having been up for more than 24 hours), and Kelly and Scott are settling the little ones for their trip to Dreamland. I'm filled with a sense of comfort, love and gratitude for these moments, for these weekends, and for the memories we'll make.

This weekend first started when Brad joined with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, to do a century bike ride to raise money for the Society, and especially in honor of my father, his Papa, who died from leukemia. Through a rain filled ride, Brad never gave up. He just kept cycling. He finished with a sense of completion, knowing he fulfilled his commitment. Another year, Kelly took a tumble when she (we assume) hit some gravel and got the worse case of road rash I've ever seen. Seeing the cracked bike helmut, though, is what was totally sobering. I had gratitude that day that although her injuries were very painful (especially for a new mom, trying to care for 7 month old Makenna Claire), they were not life threatening. I'll never forget the physician in the ER who showed me the helmut, saying, "this would have been your daughter's head if she hadn't worn a helmut". Enough said about safety, but that was a grateful moment.

Last year, instead of checking out at noon or one, we ended up on a crisp autumn day, out on the patio of the rented farm house, savoring the wine we'd bought at a local winery. Enjoying our time together, the fact that no one had to rush home, and the love we all felt.

So we continue our tradition, and add to the memories, beginning tonight. Cannot wait to cheer on Scott, Kelly, Brad and DeChantel on Sunday. Cannot wait to have a totally fun family day tomorrow. And very grateful that Phil will once again partner with me to entertain the little ones while their parents and aunt and uncle ride 100 miles on Sunday.

Here's to traditions. Stay tuned, exciting things happening all around me.

Energy & Creativity

It's amazing to awaken with a sense of energy, with a sense of promise, and an understanding that I can create what I want.  


I know it, not just believe it.  There is a difference, and I didn't understand this before The Forum.  I always believed in myself - at least I told myself that.  I believed I could do anything I set my mind to - something my parents instilled in  all of us at an early age.  But saying the words over and over again gave a belief - something like faith, but didn't give me the action plan I needed to KNOW I could do anything in which I had a belief.


That is the key difference I understand today.  I am totally responsible for my future.  I control my creativity.  My creativity will not knock on the door, saying, "you haven't used me lately".  Creativity just lies dormant, waiting for me to switch the "on" button to active mode.


I awoke this morning thinking about all of the projects I'd like to do, the ideas I have for writing, the ideas to combine my art and writing.......and the possibilities are endless, because I will not limit myself.


But I will harness the ideas into different windows, so I can continue to look out, to be reminded of my choices, and make decisions on which window to open first, second and third (and maybe a few open at the same time).


I love waking with an energy of possibilities, and do not miss waking worrying about how I will get my (corporate) work done.  What a difference in my life.


Great things are happening already!  Stay tuned.

A New Creative Birth

After a weekend at The Forum, presented by Landmark Education, I feel I've been reborn.  My completion night was last night, ironically on the anniversary of my father's birth.  He would have been 84.  I'd like to think he's up there smiling, knowing that I am finally getting around to doing what I've been saying I wanted to do since I was a kid.


Thanks to Jeff Willmore, who is the most incredible seminar leader I've ever encountered.  I still smile, remembering some of the moments from The Forum.  Luckily there is a little film in my brain, that I can rewind as needed, to enjoy, ponder and meditate on the thoughts that sprayed across the Universe as I explored my possibilities.  Now I can gather those magical ideas as I dream, whether day dreaming or sleep dreaming, no matter where I am.  That in itself makes me smile.   So Jeff, I can hear you saying, "how's that working for you?".  Amazingly well, thank you!


I am so excited to begin my journey as a writer, an author and a committed artist.  My future is full of possibilities and have no limits, because I will not limit myself.


My commitment is to write every day, to complete a book within nine months (as I told Kelly, if I can create and give birth to a baby in nine months, I can certainly write a book in nine months!).  I've created this blog as my new birth, as my re-birth, to begin my new future, defined by me, embracing the possibilities that I can create.


Stay tuned, great things will be happening around me, beginning now.