KEEP THE FAITH & DO SOMETHING KIND TODAY...

Faith is believing when it is beyond the power of reason to believe. 

It means daring to imagine or embrace the unfathomable.

It means to dig deep and find strength that you didn't know you had. To find courage with every breath and every tear.

We must hold onto faith. 

We must hold onto hope. 

We must love.

We must be angels to each other when we can't make sense out of things, because there isn't any sense to what has happened.
But there is always FAITH, HOPE & LOVE to be shared through every kindness.

Our hearts and thoughts surround those in recovery from the storm.

Prayers continue for all that are still dealing with the great destruction and aftermath of Sandy...

"Protect them Lord and keep them safe. Grant them mercy and give them grace"

IT'S IN THE CARDS

PATTY B
Being it's the season of spirits and magic, I have a question for you. Does one truly believe in what the cards may say?.. I say "Yes".  But to each there own. Many will have their own thoughts on this subject. For me, having recently lost both of my parents within a very short time frame, I find comfort in the draw of the cards. There are times when no matter how old I maybe by my drivers license profile I will always and forever be their little girl.  I will always be trying to seek approval in my own ways. But, now with both of my parents, no longer on this Earth (but I hope in a better realm), I must concentrate on whats best for me and my children. 

But how does one take the intial leap of faith? Not knowing if you will be alright.  Always second guessing your worst fears. I was struggling with wanting more direction with my fears and wanting to arm myself with faith.  Some dear friends of mine enlightened me to the world of crystals, stones and cards. Now mind you I can not read like those who do so very well with Tarrot cards.  In fact in this month of Witches and Spirits I have had my cards professionally read for me and amazingly the readings were spot on. My deck of cards that I "read" are Oracle cards of Angels.  When I second guess or want to know how my day might be I randomly draw a card and see what it might say. For me, at this time in my life it is a true God send. The proverbaly wisdom and feeling I get once I chose a card helps me go about my day in a more productive manner. I feel it helps guide me along my journey of life. I find comfort in the draw and linking it to my feelings and faith.

I also mentioned crystals and stones.   I still am a total newbie to this "art" but have been told the crystal(s) one seeks have certain meaning unto their own. For me my crystal and stones are still a work in progress but do I believe  they help ground me and bring me some inner peace.  Others may find Peace in yoga or deep mediation or by other means.  I have tried this, but, I can not truly stop my mind from thinking about the "to do list".  So for now, or until I can meditate without the world crashing in, I leave my fate to my crystal and cards with a dash of faith and fun. Anyway you look at it, what happens next in your journey is all about your luck of the draw.  Try something new.  Deal yourself a little fun and mix things up a bit.  Get a reading done.  You might find yourself just having fun, you might find your self less of a skeptic once it's done, and if you are "lucky", you might just find a new "thing" that you love.  

GOTTA GET YOUR EYES ON THE PRIZE... Not the finish line!

Barbara Ward-Finneran

I've been told, "You have it all together", "You inspire me", "You handle everything so well"... 

Most times I feel pretty secure in handling life and all it's curve balls day in and day out.  Then there are the days that it's an effort to breathe. Occasionally, a day like that can meld into a stretch of time.  Only those closest to me might notice the heaviness of heart.  There are "airs" to put on when you are "the inspiration" the one who always keeps it together.  Ms. Mary Sunshine shouldn't have thunder rolling in.  Ironically, the last few weeks has not been clear skies.  Geez, talk about feeling like a fraud! Lately the constant struggle to keep all the balls in the air has ruled my life.  When all you do is keep tossing one up - do you really handle anything? Are you just stuck in a wicked cycle of keeping balance, of keeping up appearances, ...never able to forge ahead or climb up?

Plateaus stink.  Professional, personal, relationship, and life/health style ones (any kind at all!) all stink.  No really, they suck. When more then one smacks you in the face at a time, "Forgetaboutit"!  Being "stuck" in one place can be a torture that is the epitome of spinning your wheels in the thick nasty mud when you had the potential to win the race!

Spin, spin, spin.... that's what it's been.  So much energy and jubilation pointed towards the end of school and summers arrival.  The limitless list of all that would be easier, personally and professionally, once school was out on May 27th.  All the "to do-s" that would and will get done.  All the time that would be had to catch up and move on. (Side note: A prime example of not to convince yourself it will be better "when"...!)

Silly me.  All that spinning ended in a wicked stall out! Almost a month later. No closer to winning that race.  No closer to smashing any plateaus.  Reasons matter not.  They were not earth shattering - just challenges in my little corner of the world. But enough to suck the air from my lungs and my motivation right along with it!

What matters is not days past - but NOW.  What matters was Monday.  Monday I declared my own personal "re-do". The restart of summer and all the goals that I have intertwined with the anticipation of it's arrival.  Dusting off that motivation and digging deep to move forward.  Practically forcing myself.  Amazing how even though you want and need to move forward - at times you have to force it into being - even just the start of it. Nothing just gets you nothing, nothing but more spinning! It's a difficult cycle to break at times.  Starting can be the hardest, but doing something is better then doing nothing. Start! Start something, maybe not all of it, or even the most pressing of the issues - but, START SOMETHING!

So, I've started! (Again, FINALLY!)  Not everything.  But, the wheels are in motion and gaining mileage.  I'll keep juggling the balls, keeping my eyes strategically on "myself","family" and "faith"- the rest can bounce if needed.  I'll catch them when I can.  Admittedly - as much as I wanted it - it took days to force the start. I cannot completely even explain why, in writing or even in my own mind.  I have however come to acknowledge the problems with keeping all the balls in the air you tend to ignore the ones that are about you.  That always leads to trouble.  After more then two years of embracing my own mantra of "Keep the promises you make to yourself" I dropped that ball and let it roll out of reach.  Somehow thinking I'd fix the other things and get back to me later.  Doesn't work that way.  HOW DID I FORGET THAT?!?!?  You have to take care of YOU to take care of the rest. 

Do you need to be starting something?!?! 

Do you need to remember to put yourself on the list? 

I highly recommend it! 

THE ANTI-RANT

Barbara Ward-Finneran

If it was just another Monday and I was going to rant this morning, it more then likely would have been about how my "life gets in the way" has combined with "writers block" has left me behind the scenes at DRL for days and days now....

I am a glass full kind of girl - but everyone spills the milk and gets overwhelmed occasionally.  Lately - it's happened more then I like to admit.  However, recent events have reminded me not to sweat the small stuff.  In the scheme of things - not getting to cross things off my to do list, not finishing those projects around the house, not paying bills on time, not getting time to work and write, not getting pounds off, etc., etc., just doesn't matter.

Life can change in an instant.  FOREVER!  Completely beyond your control and leave you forever, NEVER THE SAME.  

This week I will attend funeral services for a former student of mine whose warm smile graced my classroom for years.  Her family has suffered an incomprehensible loss.  Everything that they have ever known and dreamed has been changed for them in an inexplicable moment.  A 17 years young, vibrant, athletic, talented, beautiful, girl has gone to be with our Lord.  All the potential that was to be hers has now transformed to angel wings.  Her flight to heaven leaves broken hearts in it's path.

Rants could roll off my tongue about the unjust way "bad things happen to good people" or how the tragedy of this angers me to tears and beyond words. Those things must be felt. Yet none of that negative energy changes a thing. Kids aren't supposed to die!  It just not the way its supposed to be, or happen.  Yet it does.  In today's world - all too often.  My heart aches at the thought of the unfathomable days of pain and grief ahead for her family.  For any family walking a similar journey.

During a "dark" time, a very wise friend once told me, "You cannot look for sense, where there isn't any". There is great truth in those words and I have often called them to my mind during difficult times.  Some things are not for us to understand, while we walk this earth.  We wish for there to be a greater picture that amidst our sorrow we cannot grasp.  Although we do not have understanding - most of us are however blessed to have faith, hope, love and prayer.

So my anti-rant is to embrace those things and all the blessings in your life.  All the small things we take for granted.  Count your blessings and find an attitude of gratitude.  Remind someone that you love them.  Say it out loud.  Hug your kids tighter and longer.  Play that extra game without a sigh or complaint.  Hold fast to your faith.  It is believing when it is beyond the power and reason to believe.  It does not fix everything or make it easy.  Life can make you question your faith  - but chain it to your soul as faith bridges hope.  A feeling of expectation and desire for things to happen.  Hold fast to hope as the future is borne of it.  Pray.  When there are no words there are prayers.  When words fail, our silent thoughts speak volumes. When you cannot find your voice, know every drop of your tears are translated.  There is no greater gift then prayer - and often life challenges us to recognize that at times there is nothing else that you can do or give.

Life is short.  One never knows when the life you know may cease to exist.  Waste not your thoughts on the past - it time has gone.  Worry not for the future - it is unknown.  All we have is right now.  It's all we ever have had and all you can completely count on.

Make the most of your now! Be kinder.  Love greatly and unconditionally. Give more then you are asked to give.  Do some small kindness that might just mean everything to someone.  Hold hands. Dress up. Use the good dishes. Color with a new box of crayons.  Smell the flowers. Scribble outside the lines.  Think out of the box.  Walk on the beach. Play the radio loud and dance in the seat of your car.  Forgive.  Make that phone call. Sing at the top of your lungs.  Smile.  Look at the world. Use a kind heart. Speak words laced with encouragement and love.  Do something fun.  Don't fear mistakes, let them happen.  Don't chase, but rather, create your dreams.  Dare to consider the impossible.  Keep the promises that you make to yourself!