BREAK THE RULES

Welcome to Wednesday afternoon in my little corner of the world where the sky is grey one minute, cloudy and blue the next ~ and holding the promise of rain and storms again.   Rather like life really - all going smoothly one minute and then you hit a bump in the road that causes you to wobble.

Life is sweet for me - and I have so much to be thankful for and my days are quiet and peaceful ~ daffodils are blooming in my garden and are a constant source of joy - they make my heart sing and bring a smile to my lips.

I am thankful for safe medical procedures for those I love, happy hours, letters in the mail, blossoms on the tree, music to thrill and stir my soul, communication, messages and photographs. laughter and the joys of friendship.  I am thankful for my warm and comfortable bed while the chilly wind blows, food in my fridge, and a good book to read (and a pile of them waiting to be read.)  I enjoy a movie on DVD every now and then and can watch it on a portable DVD player while I continue at my desk.  

I have been busy with many things and yet don't seem to have much to show for the efforts but I have a sense of calm and peace within my life.

News comes in fast and furious over the Internet and it thrills me to share all the good and bad things that happen and today news of the death of a Transplant friend came through.   Megan received a new heart in 2010 and became unwell very suddenly, and very quickly lost the battle for life.  She leaves a little family with her daughter just four years.

This young woman was full of life and seemed to have the whole future in front of her - but she used the gift she received to be present to each moment of her life and I am proud that her path crossed mine.   Fly free Megan and dance on the wind.

She had two extra years of life and I am encouraged by that fact and urge everyone of you to register as an Organ Donor and give others like Megan and me a chance at life.

It is the middle of the working week (hump day) which means it is only a few more days to another weekend and for those who are working hang on to that thought.  Be gentle with yourselves and go steadily into your working days - enjoy the company of your colleagues, walk in the fresh air in your lunch time, and take good care to rest easy.   If you don't go to the Office/Place of Business, but spend your days at home supporting the family and those who do work it is really important that you take care of yourself too.

Life is short, break the rules, ~ Forgive quickly, Kiss slowly ~ laugh uncontrollably and Never regret anything that made you smile.

And today more than ever I encourage you all to be present to each moment of each hour of each day  ~ tell those you love that you do love them, hug your kids, dance in the rain, splash in puddles and turn your face to the sun for then the shadows will be behind you.

Listen to the music that thrills your soul, eat desert first, walk by the river or the ocean and listen to the noises of the water and the sea birds.

Most of all take the time to be at peace with yourself:

DESIDERATA

"Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy."

Max Ehrmann c.1920

Thank you for visiting the Musings of my Heart ~ a heart deep in thought.

Love and hugs,

Linda

IT'S THE LITTLE THINGS

Welcome to Thankful Thursday afternoon in my little corner of the world and Mother Nature is trying to shine today, but keeps been excluded from centre state by grey and thick clouds and where a chilly wind is blowing.

Petals from the almond tree are blowing in the wind all over the garden and they look lovely - the daffodils are still blooming and birds are singing - it is certainly pleasant in my little corner of the world today.

How very true it is that "it's the little things" in many aspects of our lives - the little things that turn clouds into sunshine, a frown into a smile and tears into laughter.  

The touch of a hand, a telephone call, a text message, confirmation that all is well, an invitation to have a leisurely weekend lunch with a friend.   A video phone message from a little guy of five saying "thank you for my birthday books ~ I just love them."  The confident voice of an almost eight year old when I said - Oh my stylus is just like yours to be told - "no mine has glitter"

The smell of dinner cooking, bread baking and beautiful coffee all wafting on the warm air of inside on a winter day.

I have roses to prune - but today wasn't the day because of rain, but I hold fast to the joy of the little things when the rose will bud again and hold the promise of beautiful fragrant blossoms.

The joy of seeing someone who has been so ill now back into the work force and taking his place in the world and adding more joy to many lives that he realizes.

Mailing a pair of earrings to my elder daughter - made by a friend who has been "Aunt" to my girls since they were little children and knowing that they will be appreciated.

The pure joy of Naomi and Alexis planning their dream holiday and getting things in order ~ the "busyness" of their lives with work and study and the joy they share with friends and family.

A parcel of books arriving in the mail from USA - undamaged in transit and holding the promise of many happy hours of reading.

The pure and undiluted joy of letters in the mail - from your hand to mine - email is wonderful but 

"Please, Mister Postman, look and see.

Is there a letter, a letter for me?

I've been standing here waiting, Mr. Postman, oh, so patiently

For just a card or just a letter"

Life is full of little things that bring joy and pleasure and there are the little things that often bring pain too - but with love and care and support we can turn those sad moments back to moments of joy and find contentment once more.

I hope that you can find moments of joy in little things this day - and that you can remember to be thankful for them.

I wish for you today - a wonderful sleep in a cozy warm and comfortable bed, hot steaming coffee, sweet sweet music that stirs your soul and touches your heart,  letters and messages, excitement about holidays, the touch of a hand, the smile of the one you love, laughter and some silliness.   Walks by the ocean or the river, a long cool ice filled drink at the end of a hot day, a good movie to watch, a little time to linger longer in the hot shower and most of all I wish you peace of mind and the contentment of a job well done.

Reach out to someone today and give them one or two of the little things that will make their life sweeter  - send a card, a letter, a text, make a phone call  ~ just something to say "I am thinking of you and I love you"

May sweet roses bloom in your life and scatter their petals on your pathway and may the thorns remind you that life isn't always easy, but that you do not walk the pathway alone.

I wish for you scented breezes of the summer wind, rosy red cheeks from a winter wind, and diamonds at night in a velvet sky.  May your gardens blossom and bloom and provide untold joy ~ may you enjoy getting your hands in the dirt and communing with nature.

Thank you for visiting the Musings of this Thankful heart - thankful for oh so many things and which is filled with the wonder of our beautiful world.

Love and hugs

Linda.