Live Your LIfe

A woman has to live her life,

or live to repent not having lived it.

D. H. Lawrence

Lady Chatterley's Lover

 

As a young mother, I was involved in many activities.  I was active in community, church, and social organizations.  As my children grew in number and demands, I realized that I must excuse my self from holding positions or offices in my activities.  I felt good about this decision as I knew one day would come when the children would all be grown and I would once again have time for my endeavors.

As young women, we need to stay in touch with at least one area of interest and then expand that interest or introduce new avenues of expression when the time allows.  Women need to have areas of personal interest to look forward to after  commitments to family and or career lessen.  

As women accumulate years, we begin to rekindle interests or develop new.   If we find our selves thinking, "I always wanted to ... travel ... paint ... study ... visit ... ."  Then do it!  What's holding you back?  Explore and be adventurous.  If there is a will there is a way.  This is your life and it is up to you to live it to the fullest! 



Books: Escape, Friend, Adventure

                            Books let us into their souls

and lay open to us

the secrets of our own.

William Hazlitt

Books are a learning experience, an escape from our daily grind, and an introduction to characters we soon identify as friends or people we hope to never be. We learn about other cultures, the rhythm of different life styles, and personal experiences whether fact or fiction. Some books change our lives forever.

My love for reading began very early in my childhood. I spent a great deal of time with little Golden Books filled with fantasy, like Frosty the Snowman, Cinderella, Snow White, and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer. Grade school definitely opened my range of reading choices, and read I did.

Fortunately, there was a neighborhood library branch I passed every day walking to and from school. When I outgrew the school library, I became an avid library card holder!

By seventh grade, I had completed reading all of the books offered to elementary students. I received special permission from the branch library to begin reading books reserved for high school students. I was a familiar face to the librarian and over the years she guided me in selecting wonderful literature.

 In college, there were several book readers and we would pass our favorites around. When looking for a new author, referrals were plentiful.

After college, I worked part time, was married and soon had my first child. It became more difficult to find like minded readers and selecting books took a lot longer than ever before.

As a mother of four, my reading once again returned to children’s books, passing my love for reading onto a new generation. These reading experiences with my children enhanced my storytelling abilities as well.

When visiting with a friend's mother, I asked if she had read the latest 'love story' novel and she replied, "Oh no! I have not read one of those in years. As I have grown older, I have become much more selective of what I put into my brain." She was right of course and again my direction changed. I discontinued fiction all together focused on non-fiction entirely.

Once retired, years later, I was eager to spend every part of my day with the luxury of reading. Having plenty of time, I once again broadened my reading and included fiction. Reading remains my favorite escape.

Fictional characters and non-fictional individuals have been my teachers and on occasion a best friend. Books have remained a constant, a constant escape and a forever friend.

We all have time to read between appointments or waiting for someone to pick us up. Maybe a short while before falling asleep, a good read would help settle us in. A daily inspiration in the morning only taking seconds to read can set the tone for the remaining day. Volunteering to read to others or to our grandchildren are both very valuable.

You could begin an adventure today!

Setting Sail

To reach a port we must sail,

sometimes with the wind

and sometimes against it.

But we must not drift

or lie at anchor.

Oliver Wendell Holmes

Life offers us many opportunities, and for that I am thankful as it seems I make many attempts without appropriate follow through.  I become distracted or perhaps discouraged allowing the idea or dream to float away.

Often times we meet resistance either from our selves or from others.  We need to simply step through the energy presenting as a block to successfully reach the other side.  Fear and resistance are opportunities to make our selves stronger, as discovery has never been an easy task for any one.

When a plan comes together or ideas become aligned, we are in the flow or find smooth sailing.  We feel supported in our efforts and we find our struggles have been worth while. 

The most important step, however, is setting sail out side of our comfort zone into unknown territories.  Courage can be our companion with positive attitude tucked into our pocket.  We can carefully chart our course, but be ready for the winds to carry us into unexpected waters. 

Let's remember to turn our faces towards the sun, to feel its warm embrace; to be lulled by the rhythm of the waves; and to gently end our day with the setting sun.  And if we find our selves drifting, begin once again.

Hidden Gifts

Everything has beauty,

but not everyone sees it.

Confucius

Sometimes when we are just staring off into nothing, we will notice an object taking form in our line of vision.  Perhaps it had been hidden by its very nature or just not seen, but once our interest is peaked the unexpected discovery becomes a gift.

We prejudge by appearances or what we may hear prior to an introduction, so we may miss the hidden gift entirely; but if we open our selves to each experience we very well may discover the hidden value.  

A diamond in the rough or a pearl in an oyster are examples of what I am saying or how about "Don't judge a book by its cover!"  Every single human being is born with unique gifts and talents ... some are obvious, while others not.  Every one we come in contact with has a message for us if we but take the time to experience an exchange.

When a friend transitions from this life into another, loved ones gather and listen to old tales.  We often times hear friends exclaim, "I knew him all of his life, but I never knew that about him!"  There is so much we leave undiscovered when life takes us too quickly through the passages of time. 


Begin to notice everything around you, looking for the hidden gifts.  There may be a bird in the tree, a heart shaped rock by the path or a depth of wisdom in the elderly neighbor.  When we allow our selves to step out of routine, the extraordinary appears.  Life is an adventure and adventure unfolds mystery and mystery unravels the hidden.  Where is your sense of adventure, hmmm?