LIFESAVERS AND FAMILY OF CHOICE ~

The Girls!

They Call Themselves,

THE "LIFESAVERS"

Family of "Choice"

Wednesday morning! Good morning world, He/She is doing it again folks... Here comes the sun...

NEws FLASH FROM TARPON SPRINGS FL. LAST PM:
Tarpon Springs is reeling this morning after a local woman has killed a co-worker in a local Publix store after being fired from her job at Publix... how could this happen we all wonder... How could a young dedicated father end up dead at the hands of a young woman, another dedicated worker who had threatened him verbally, insulted him, and was overheard saying she would kill someone if she was  fired from her job, and she was. She returned and ultimately killed a young father; then went up and down isles attempting to kill shoppers, wounded a police officer and is now in critical care after being shot by an officer and was bay-flighted to Tampa... WHAT??? how could this be?  Tarpon Springs is in shock as are the regular shoppers in the area who knew them both... so very sad.\\\ so scary....

><

I was thinkin as I listen to my spring time pals chirping their songs of greeting, "Thank You for the many blessings" about the wonderful "Family of Choice" I have come to know through the many years ~

31st Day of March... wow, where did this month go? I was watching the news and heard words, Passover, Easter... and realized... OH my... where did this month run to... and the 4 leggeds heard the thought! There they go, around the pool, chasing the squirrel that crawls in the tree barking at them, celebrating their morning, as the birds chime in...

S T O M P

S   T   O   M   P

GOOD MORNING EVERYONE

Seems like yesterday... we were talking about Thanksgiving... and here I sit waiting for spring 2010!

ah, great coffee this morning, my dear friend Laura is ready to start her birthday morning ~ Happy Happy Birthday dear Laura, so happy you are "family of choice", hope your celebration of you is splendid...

CHRIS, JILLY, DENISE, CINDY, JIM, DENI, JOE, JEREMY, JEANNE, TONYA, and all the others... WARPAINT ON... ANGELS ARE ROCKING AND READY TO WRAP YOU IN THE ARMS OF PRAYERS AND LOVE, THE BEAR CLAN ALONG WITH LILY THE BLACK BEAR AND HOPE ARE COOING AND PROTECTING YOU ON THE PATH TO STRENGTH ~ WE ARE UNITED WITH YOU... ALWAYS...
WEARING YOUR COLORS ~

Unfortunately not everyone has biological family in their life. Sometimes this is indeed because our loved ones have gone before us, sometimes this is because family is far away and we are not in frequent contact. And, sadly, some of us have family we are purposefully distant with. The often used expression “Dysfunctional” comes to mind. Some will tell you that they are the "fun"in the dys ctionional part of their family! Isn't that funny?



We would all like to think that just because we are blood relatives, we share important connections. This may be true, and indeed even the most twisted family members may be our own.
We honor them for the connection, but may not celebrate what they bring to the table. Somehow things changed, they changed; we changed, they may not bring the joy, the love, the same things we "stand for", or the same appreciation we have for life, love and tradition, or laughter...




Crazy uncle/aunt/cousin/niece/nephew? Unloving brother/sister? Emotionally abusive parent/grandparent? Physically abusive spouse or history of one?
Emotional baggage so heavy you refer to it as "samsonsite lugguage"?

I hope not, but I know of families that come together every holiday, and ruin it for each other. Biological families that dread the time they spend together simply because they treat each other so badly.






Sometimes it's just because they really don’t like each other. You know I don’t say this lightly.
I have great respect or families but I do not delude myself into thinking that every family member adds value to our life. I'm all about "family systems" I am an advocate of them myself! BUT, as most through the years and through this blog know . . . I do keep it real.
There are times when I have honestly just asked the question, "If this was not a family member would you want to go and have dinner with them"? I was not surprised to hear the answer of "Are you kidding me, NO I would never go and voluntarily have dinner or coffee if it wasn't a family obligation". However, most would have trouble honestly saying that for fear of what others would think of them... for fear of guilt, remorse, regret later on...

Keeping in mind that this is not all families, but dynamics do play a key role in some families, and definatley in many families when it comes to illness, dying death and bereavement... just think about that... or as the Cherokee say, "sit with it" for awhile, reflect on it if you will.







What to do about this? There are many and most times that situations like these are not ours "to do anything about! We may witness or hear stories, but it is not ours to judge nor to do with...

I believe that our “Family of Choice” can be a precious, hand picked group of loved ones that we select to share our lives with. Imagine if you could put together the “perfect” family. Screen out the mean drunks, the hateful, spiteful, critical, unloving ones that ruin our holidays, and create our own families. Well, we can and do. My beautiful Mom has her own "family of choice" too, through the years she has cultivate and maintained that "family of choice" throughout my lifetime.. Precious, special; she would take a bullet for Lavie, Jerry, Sue, Linda, O, Paul, Jimmy, Millie, and for others; she would stand for Lavie against the world... She would and she has that's what those two do... Guess that's just how we roll ~  us Cherokee, that's what Granny taught us, how to live well, and to love deeply, but to watch and to pick carefully within our heart space...
{{{*whole*lot}}}




For those who find themselves without family; and/or for those whose families are the relatives from hell. We all now those right? Just keepin it real! I guess some never extend to others but I cannot imagine that, and think I have even blogged about it before and it is probably in Healing Heartaches too! But for those who do not wish to be alone, finding friends, growing them into "a family:" seems to make sense to me!

To gather friends into a sacred circle, some may even call them into "extended family . . .
we gather to ourselves, this special and wonderful idea of  “Family of Choice”. Treasure these special compilations of love. Devote your energy to celebrating holidays with the family we choose. Treat them the way we wish our family could be, or replace the family we don’t have with this special gift we created that we call “Family of Choice.”




We are only alone and lonely if we make that our reality. Imagine a family made up of faithful and loving friends. Does it get any better than that?

Even for those of us that have a good or great or OUTSTANDING, BEAUTIFUL biological family, we can still add to the mix, our family of choice. Include someone in your family that may not have one of their own.
Create, or re-create or "ex-tend" your “family.” Gift those you love with family connections. Your life will be richer, and the lives of those you choose to surround yourself with will too be blessed.  Oh my, the memories I have as I sit here of so many gathered around Granny's kitchen table; having a blessingway and holding hands, going around that table, into the living room, around into the hall, and back again into that warm and smell good kitchen hands joined together . . . people everywhere...
Now that was kinship, extended family, great food, laughter filled the air; kids running in and out... Amazing grace, fluidity in motion ~ Emotion is motion ~
Can I get an "Amen" a "what=what" a,
"Thank YOu Granny"
a "STAND UP AND CELEBRATE YOU AND SAY "YES"
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
whew, that felt great, thanks!

I have a both a biological family, and a “Family of Choice.” I am doubly blessed.  Wow, I feel a great day coming on... How bout' let's stretch into it... ready?

SIT UP STRAIGHT

OK, LET'S GO

BACK STRAIGHT

HEAD UP

LOOK TO SKY

NOW ROLL YOUR HEAD SLOWLY TO RIGHT

AWWW THAT'S IT R O O L

NOW BACK

WAAAY BACK LOOOOK UP AT CEILING FEEEL IT

GOOOD NOW SLOWLY BACK TO CENTER

GREAT

NOW SLOWLY LOOK DOWN

WAAAYYYY DOWN

FURTHER DOWN

OOOHHHH DOWN

OOOHHHH

OK SLOWLY COME ON BACK UP TO SCREEN

SLOOOWWWLY

GREEAT

NOW

LOOOK LEFT SLOOOWLY

WAAAY LEFT

MORE LEFT

GOOD BACCK TO CENTER

SHRUG SHOULDERS UP TO EARS AND HOLD

(*I DONT KNOW UP UP TO EARS)

GOOD HOLD

NOW

NOW

DROP SHOULDERS

CLUNK

GREAT

OK

FEET ON FLOOR?

LIFT

TOES

LIFT

FEEL IT?

FEEL

IT?

OUCH?

GOOD

DO 5 TIMES!

(I DOIN IT WITH YOU NOT WAITING(

LA LA LA

SING

YAY

STAND UP

STOMP

RAISE ARMS IN AIR

CELEBRATE YOU

S T O M P

S    T    O    M    P

YOU ARE WONDERFUL

YOU ARE GREAT

GO AND HAVE SUPER DAY

YOU ARE WARRIOR

Lily Black bear and HOPE now have more than 94,000 fans on facebook!!!

Awesome aren't they? BUT they are now taking little outings which is making all the humans watching nutz I tell ya, just nutz... LOL...

http://www.bear.org/

Blessing to each of you and those you love.

Andrea is headed to New England to spend time with her Dad, Family and many friends, the traditional and time honored pow-wow around the kitchen table will be happening soon ~ with angels watching and up to tricks to be certain ...

Talked to a woman yesterday who told me a funny thing she saw on her facebook post: it read "I don't seek revenge cos' as I see it Karma is a bigger bitch than I could ever be"...

Sending prayers of strength and healing ways to several who are fighting CANCER, undergoing treatments; have assured them that this page is filled with others who "get it" and who will put on their warpaint and join with them... Send your energy, they will know who it is from.

Joan, know that it will be alright, have many working on sending you what you need, faith hope and prayers.

CHRIS, NO VACUUMING, NO LIFTING ANYTHING HEAVIER THAN A FEATHER!

<><><>

The fire is burning and the embers are red hot, from the smoke the messages are on the wind to those who need and those who want the message, and you know what it is... It is yours.

author of:
Healing Heartaches, Stories of Loss and Life

http://www.healingheartaches.com/

Available at Amazon, Borders and Infinity Publishing BBOTW.COM











Stop for a moment and make a short list of who you consider your family of choice.






Treat this family tenderly, contribute only good, loving, and caring energy. Protect it fiercely. Give the best of yourself to it. You will be so glad that you have

FAMILY ~ FRIENDS ~ FIERCE ~

FAMILY ~ FRIENDS ~ FIERCE

Patti Labelle Sang A Song Called,

"You Are My Friend"... ever heard it?

Family/Friends are the greatest gift of all.

Friend YOURSELF FIRST... Treat yourself well, learn to love you, stand for you, treat you as you would a trusted friend, and then...

Gift your friendship when you can.

It is really the best, most valuable gift of all. There is a line in Patti's song that says, "I've been looking around and you were here all along" ...  hmm, that is right after you here her incredible voice sing, "You are my friend... "

If you have in your life some precious person you can really call your friend, someone who knows you well.

Someone who cares about you through thick and thin. Someone who will STAND FOR YOU, WHILE STANDING BESIDE YOU. You are fortunate, you are blessed~ and once again when listening to Ms Labelle you may just youtube it and hear her sing, "When You've Been Blesed Feels Like Heaven"! Now how bout' that for a Tuesday thought?

Someone who knows your weaknesses and stands by you in spite of your own faults . . . 
then count yourself blessed.

To have a real and true friend,

you must be a friend and a true friend.

You must honor and wear the responsibility of friendship in the most sacred part of your heart.

 A friend is not simply someone who “befriends” you, or someone you are “friendly” with.

A true friend is someone you love.

Someone you treasure.

A person you can count on and that can count on you.

A friend stands beside you in celebration,

and at the darkest hours of your life.

A real friend reassures that you are always valued, even when you feel that you have nothing to give, or when you know you have done the wrong thing.

That is a real friend.

Someone who knows you so well that they feel your joy,

and

share your pain.

They are someone who is "FAMILY OF CHOICE"

THEY ARE "CLAN"

THEY WILL

"CELEBRATE LIFE EVERYDAY

WITH YOU IF YOU ASKED THEM TO"

We each need these staunch and loyal supporters in our lives. They make it all worthwhile. No matter where our lives take us, no matter what hand we are dealt, no matter what happens in a day, an hour or a moment in time; a real friend will always be there for us. To lend a hand, or a give a hug. To sit with us while we struggle with the complexities in our lives. To laugh at our mistakes, to lend laughter when we can not muster up a smile. And to cry with us when circumstances trouble us. There is no greater gift than the gift of friendship, the gift of family and family of choice.



Friends hold our memories. They often remind us of experiences we shared in the past, dreams we hold for the future, wonderment of the now. They help us create new memories with each experience whether good, bad, hard or ugly... THEY STAND FOR US, THEY STOMP, THEY PLAY, THEY DO WHATEVER THEY ARE CALLED UPON TO DO . . .






Lessons we learned together on our marvelous journey. Our friends often remember lessons we have forgotten and can recall them for us.



A true friend can know us well enough to anticipate our needs, even when we can’t put them into words. I know the value of that kind of friend. I have such a friend. If I had only one I would count my blessings. I am so richly blessed to have more than one. I call them my "family of choice", well, I just call them "family" truth be told! They know who they are...




We've all heard the stories of blood relatives and those family conflicts, arguments/heartaches/disappointments, we've watched it on Entertainment tonight with divorce, separations... When a spouse/child/relative of blood disappoints during critical times, or goes MIA (never happens to me I might add),
you hear stories of the  friends and "family of choice"  that step up to the plate every time. Thanks to the Universal Oneness that many seem to have two families... family of origin and family of choice.

I am so richly blessed to have both!

I never have to question my "family of choice" or friends; their loyalty, their love, for I feel it every day. They reside in my heart. They fill my soul with the joy of pure love.

I can ask for no more. For that I give thanks... And So It Is! Wado ~




Having a friend is one of life’s greatest responsibilities. This is a responsibility I take on gladly. FAMILY, FRIENDS, FIERCE, FEARLESS, FABULOUS~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ What A Feeling! (reminds me of a song!)

I strive to NEVER use, abuse, or take lightly the love my friends and family have given me.
I honor them with each breath I take.

Because of their gift to me, my life is richer, fuller, so much more meaningful.

<   >   <   >   <   >   <   >   <   >   <   >



If you find you are without this kind of friend, be the friend you want to have to someone you already care about. If that caring is nurtured by your gift, foster it. If it is dismissed, keep giving of yourself, true friendship will find you. Someone special, whether they are in your life now, or will come into your life in the future ~ by your offering the gift of your friendship you will indeed enjoy this gift.




Pay it forward. Be the friend you wish you had. Not because you want a friend, but because you already have the gift you need to give. The rest will follow. It always does.


I want to again remind you that all things start with you... you firs should be a friend to yourself.

If we respect ourselves, love ourselves, gift ourselves the tenderness, the caring we can gift to others, our path will be easier.


Lastly, family of birth/origin.

If we were really friends with family members we would probably be much more tolerant of their idiosyncrasies. Those nagging little behaviors that would NEVER bother us if we saw them in our friends.

 I guess this is because we are born into our family connections.
Our friends are chosen.
 So while we can’t chose our biological family, nor, change their behavior, the traits our family members display, we can change our reaction to them. For most of us, this can be a useful tool.

 So perhaps we should foster a friendship with our family too. Strive to treat family as we chose to treat a valued friend. At best, we may move closer to more family harmony, or better yet, we may find a potential friend in our family. One that we might have overlooked.

At worst, we will be more tolerant, less demanding, more forgiving. How can that ever be a bad thing.


So for today, I thank my friends and extended family of choice for the gift of themselves. I treasure these friendships more than any possession I have or will ever have. My life is richer because of you. My heart is always held in your hands. I know that it is safe there. Thank you. You are my blessings.

I treasure you more than I can say, but I hope, never more than I show.


One last bit of advice.

Go forward with purpose. Not every effort leads to true friendship, but real friends are our there. As in all things, choose wisely.

Spend your energy where it brings forth the result you desire ~ ~~ ~ ~



Well there you go, guess I had much to think about this morning...

Sure was a pretty moon last night, filled with spirits and their messages of healing to all who gather here ~ messages of hope and healing ways, strength for warriors in the battle, strength and high expectations for the kids that I hear are reading these words as they work in school.

The warpaint is on and we are sending strength for an outstanding day to all including: Cindy Vance, Chris, Jilly, Jeanne, Denise, Jim, Laura, Deni, Pat, Tony, Tommy, Debbie, Tonya, and so many others as they continue on their way ... in so many ways. You are with the a tribe of angels, and powerful angels at that! Stand tall, walk tall, you each an inspiration to all ~

Let us not forget to send thoughts of gratitude and prayer to those who are defending our freedoms as we support our troops today and all days along with the veterans of this page, I say
Wado!


The fire is burning brightly here, the embers are hot, and the smoke is rising on the winds with thoughts of healing ways to all ~ as always
sending energy and fluidity of movement that will rock you!

Walk In Beauty,

DRSES

author of
Healing Heartaches, Stories of Loss and Life

http://www.drsherryeshowalter.com/

STOMP IN TO YOUR MONDAY MY FRIENDS

Adjust your own energy level!

It's All About The Energy

Swirling, Fluidity of Movement!

GOOOD MORRRNING MONDAY, coffee is hot and smells sooo good! 4-leggeds doing their "happy-dance, are you?
I remember my friend Joe Graff telling me that he used to go into work dancing on Mondays' just tickled for the start of the week; so excited that he would jump on a desk and do his "happy dance", much to the dismay and often disgust of his co-workers ~ that image still brings a smile to my face... Just imagine how empowering that must have felt and how very infectious that energy and enthusiasm must have been for those around him after they "caught on to it" !

Florida sure gave us some liquid sun yesterday ~ good for the seedlings, the grass and great for the birds song ~ my little ones did so love running around in the rain, only to track those paw prints all around their home afterwards. Yep, life is full of wonderment.Here’s an eye opener for a Monday morning...
We each own the ability to dial up, or down, own energy level. It’s easy, like the volume control on the stereo. Dial it up, turn it down. Just that simple.






Motion is energy. Emotion is motion. Tony Robbins would tell you to "make your move" and change things around, but "Move", keep on moving! But he's not alone in that thought; many will tell you if you move, you can change your thoughts, change your body, change your way of feeling...

Emotion too often controls energy levels because we let it.
Dragging yourself through the day?
Ramp up the energy level. Put your body in motion. Step it up.
Again we return to

 STOMP

DANCE, work it out physically.

I can do it ~ I AM THE FORCE! You can do it.

If you supercharge the energy you are physically putting out, your mood will follow. Start slow, build up.

The more energy you produce, the more energy you will have.



It’s always there, waiting in the instrument case, always there ready for you to pull it out, dust it off and PLAY.

Get a little momentum building and you will unleash your own energy.

Running full out all week and need a quiet moment?

Dial it back. Breath deep, slow it down, reel it back.

See how this works?




You are in charge.

Own your personal power.

Choose the energy level you need or want.
Why on earth would we move through the day without taking advantage of our own ability to govern this momentum?

Put a little pep in your step just because you can.

Peel yourself off the ceiling and quiet yourself because you choose to.


We often think that some external force announces how much energy we wake up with in the morning, or end up with at the close of our day.

Not so, my friends.

We either take a passive stance, and just exist without purposefully identifying our own control, or we own it.

Ask for support if you want it, need it ~ take friendly advise or counsel if and when it is offered ~ grow from it ~ Step up, learn, live, laugh, leap or languish . . . always choices always ...

 We Create what we want and need. I will always choose to own it.




Know that emotions are a huge part of all this.

Change your mood, change your energy, you will notice that your focus also changes and you will change your day.

If you are sad and down, want a lift; start the change with some physical activity or movement.






No, I am not talking about structured exercise this morning!

And yes, I get that many people feel that they are allergic to “exercise”.

I get that. Because we often consider exercise to be boring, repetitious and “good for you” in a mandated and rather repetitious punitive way.

I of course am talking about movement other than structured repetitive drudgery.

Here, I am talking about the easy stuff:
 twirling, dancing, stomping, clapping, beating the drum!
Put some sound with it.

Chant, or sing, or hum, or stomp.

Whatever works for you. Get moving.

Move your body.

Call up some energy because you can.

Because you need it, or want it.






This I promise you that this is not rocket science.

Hold your head up, put a smile on your face and turn your day around.

Motion reflects emotion, so, if you feel despondent, use your motion to move yourself out of that place.

Crank up the dial. Energize yourself!

Trust me, your mood will be elevated. Hard to keep your head and heart down once you get your body really going.




<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>




In the reverse, sit quietly to wind down, feel, really feel, each muscle relax.
This usually takes a bit longer than ramping it up.
Be still.********************* Be really still. Get your mind quiet by focusing on your body and your breathing, slow and easy breathing, gentle breaths.............................................

I start with my thoughts on my toes while calming myself down and breathing nice and slow. Mostly because they are the most distant from my ever running, busy head, when I find myself mentally hanging onto the knot at the end of my own rope! Yes, even DRSES has those times of stress from a busy day...

At any rate, once your toes are relaxed and happy, work on their closest friends, the feet. Then the calves, the rest of the legs, and on up the body. This is an old and common strategy. The whole process takes time and practice/patience.

The time you spend doing this with real concentration is partly why it works. Lots of practitioners use this to lead us to a relaxed state.

The more often we do it, the less time it takes to work our way up to the often too tense shoulders and face.

So, again, practice. I find that doing this in a quiet space helps too.

Can’t see getting to this state of utter relaxation going into a meeting or sitting in your car, while sitting at a traffic light! Some have tried multi-tasking I know... but probably not a good idea ~




You may be surprised that once your body is relaxed, once you have physically let the stress go, you can sit quietly, in a relaxed and dreamy state and just enjoy letting your thoughts drift and float about, without your having to work at it. The trick here is to stay on task.

If intrusive thoughts jump up, brush them away. They are an old habit.
Gently let them go, get back to working one little muscle at a time. If you find that you have dozed off, that’s OK too. A little refreshing nap never hurt anyone.




So whether you need to ramp it up and grab hold of the energy you already have stored deep inside, or you are already so cranked up, you need or want to reel it back in. You choose. You pilot your own spaceship.
You are powerful.

Many of you are already all you need to be.




Be well, be happy, make the right choices. Make this moment count for you.

Get a handle on how you call up your own energy.

You are the one with the energy dial.

 It’s always with you, ever ready to make the necessary adjustments

To those warriors out there today; fight on with amazing grace knowing there are powerful angels wrapping their arms around you, standing at the ready beside you always ~

Wherever you are whatever you are doing, may the sun shine on you today, may you dance into Monday with all that you need to do all that you must to make it wonderful!

And of course the fire is burning brightly being tended with reverence and care, the embers are bright and hot as well, thoughts being sent on the wind ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Walk In Beauty,

DRSES

http://www.drsherryeshowalter.com/

author of

Healing Heartaches, Stories of Loss and Life

available at: Amazon, Borders and
Infinity Publishing BBOTW.COM

SUNDAY MORNING BEAUTY SURROUNDS

Beauty on A Sunday

Takes My Breath Away

GIVE IT AWAY

Sunday morning finds me being serenaded by the birds; they are announcing the wonderment of spring; a time of new beginnings; joy, happiness and they are quite vocal this early morning indeed! The cardinal kids are here already; a welcomed sight to behold this morning!

It is in receiving them that I think of all the many gifts we can give away so freely along with the unwanted thoughts and feelings we can also free ourselves of as well ~

Give the gift of smiles, of kindness to the universe. The return on the investment is unbelievable. Don’t do it because you will personally reap the rewards.
Do it simply and purely because you can contribute joy and lightness by a simple kind word, a genuine smile, and a kind deed or thought.


I look about and see so many long sad faces as I move about the community. People are burdened by their own personal problems. Weighed down with worries or struggles, some heavy hearted, and often unaware that these sentiments are worn so clearly on their faces.


And in the next move I turn and think of all the thoughts, prayers and Angels that have embraced Chris as she prepared and put on her Warpaint for a double mastectomy, has stood tall to fight the fight against Breast Cancer, with so many including those she does not know, those who are rallying beside her as Warriors ... providing her with the fight, the strength in prayer and thought as she now begins the healing journey to wholeness as she faces the coming days. I am reminded of the resiliency of the human spirit ~ and I smile and give thanks ~ And So It Is!


Joy is contagious, smiles are infectious. So….

Let’s infect others with the joy we each have inside of us. Long ago, I used to teach a group of troubled youth that I worked with the practice of “Act As If”.
Let me explain the concept as I used it so long ago ~

When the kids just HAD to act bored, or fuel each other aggravation, or turn on their teen angst, I would reinforce this “Act As If” practice.
Act as if you are happy.
Act as if you are enjoying this moment.
Now we're talking teens here... it would take awhile but then they would really get into it...


The AMAZING thing is; you will begin to really feel the way you are acting!
This is a quick and handy instrument for daily living. Feeling down? Depressed? Fake it.

Really, pretend you feel better.
Force yourself to smile. Know that "YOU ARE THE FORCE"
Stick with it.

Do not give into the desire to slump, or frown, or complain.

Make yourself stay in the posture of gladness, gratitude for the day, of joy.
 In a short time you will infect your self with the medicinal remedy that is right for you, if you choose to.
I know you are probably thinking, ”Yeah right”, like that is gonna work.
You’ll be pleasantly surprised. Or at least I think you will.






Remember that I believe in the old saying that practice makes perfect.

"It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult" {Senecca}

It may take awhile before you get really good at it, but you will.

I believe in everyones' ability to change the moment, to step out of the "comfort zone".
Ever been in a really great mood and experience the reverse action. You are laughing and smiling, have a wonderful day and a gloomy soul walks into "your happy space/place and is rude, or hateful ... and you find yourself negatively affected?
Happens all the time if we let it, if we get swept up in the drama of it, become infected or affected by it ~ hard not to sometimes. Sometimes you may have to "just tune it out, shut it down, go for a walk)... sometimes you just have to ask for what you need, expect or demand. PLEASE STOP NOW.
Or... ever had,
Good day at work until your coworker starts grousing about your evil boss?
Drag you down?
Of course it will.
But only if you let others spread their misery.

No raining on the parade. YOU empower yourself, I AM THE FORCE... I AM HAVING AN OUTSTANDING DAY. Find your mantra, stick to it... Sing Michael Jackson's song, (or better yet, listen to him sing Man In The Mirror while YOU look in the Mirror and sing along... "I'm asking him to make a change... AND IT'S STARTIN WITH ME" Be that change... Take a Stand for YOU!  Be the change that Gandhi and other world leaders, motivational speakers inspired Michael and so many other great musicians to sing about.

Until you feel the joy, FAKE THE JOY. I promise you it worked with some pretty hard-core teens... and it will work for you and me...
Try on the feeling you want to have.
Stay with it in spite of all efforts on the part of others to drag you down and you will own the feeling.
You will elevate your own mood. Works every time. So, ACT AS IF, until you feel as if.
So let us create in our own space the joy we want. Pick the emotions you want to experience today.
Make this moment better.

Plaster that smile on your face. Give it away to everyone you make contact with.
I guarantee that if you keep at it, you will begin to experience return smiles. Money back if you are not satisfied! heehe

Your own mood will improve.


So today, give it away because you can.
Put yourself out there as bright and shining feel good spirit. You deserve a good day, no a GREAT day. Give it to yourself and share it with others. Own the feeling. Reflect the light. \\\ * ///
Be the light!
Outshine the sun~ Laugh at the rain if you happen to have on rain-boots find yourself a puddle to jump in today!

Pat yourself on the back for making this moment better for everyone you encounter, but first congratulate YOU for choosing to embrace this day!

Wherever you are and whatever you are doing blessings to you and those you love.

I continue to welcome your thoughts, your emails and your care for each other here ~

The fire is burning brightly ~ the embers are HOT ~ warm wishes to all on the winds ~ "whole lot"

Walk In Beauty,
DRSES

http://www.healing heartaches.com

Healing Heartaches also available at Amazon, Borders and Infinity Publishing

EMBRACE THE COLORS!

TODAY I HAVE ON

WARPAINT OF

THE RAINBOW

Saturday Morning, here waiting on the sun!

Coffee in hand; the four-leggeds are running and barking and celebrating in the darkest hours waiting for the light!

Chris will be waking up in her daughter's home in NY, home from the hospital, having left

"the girls"

ready to heal, ready to embrace the day, to exercise those arms, and regain her strength for the coming days!

She is probably making her bed and wishing she could 

S T O M P

I think she will soon, knowing she is taking but 1 percocet for pain, knowing she is a WARRIOR,

knowing she has some wild angels right beside her!

*

I'm burning the sage and some other good stuff (can't mention) ~ I've got my warpaint of rainbows on today, having heard from several pals that they have recent diagnosis, having heard from my special Jilly of her recurrence ~

of others (can't tell ya)

Lily the Black Bear and baby HOPE are up to some wonderful tricks http://www.bear.org/

Lily is even seen in a picture with a blue ribbon on!

She too is wearing her "colors", engaged in her fight with an adopted "auntie" to give bear spirit and strength. Cancer better run for the ocean as the "bear clan"

is hot on its tail ~

Friends DO NOT let friends battle Cancer alone. 

Did I mention:

CANCER SUCKS!

/ / /  ^ \ \ \

So I'm thinkin' ... aren't we glad and blessed we have those men and women fighting with all they've got to keep our rights of free speech, our abilities to lay down in a soft or firm bed at night, to go out to dinner tonight and celebrate a brilliant sunset?

We are so richly blessed!

So how bout it... let's STOMP TODAY...

STOMP FOR THOSE WE KNOW, THOSE WE DON'T KNOW WHO ARE FIGHTING FOR US,

THOSE WHO ARE FIGHTING CANCER,

THOSE WHO ARE FIGHTING A BATTLE WE CANNOT SEE,

THOSE WHO ARE MISERABLE AND DO NOT KNOW HOW TO CHANGE,

THOSE WHO DECIDE TO STAY AT THE FOOT OF THE MOUNTAIN,

THOSE WHO MADE THE PAINFUL DECISION TO MOVE ON AFTER TALKING, PRAYING, HOPING AND WISHING THEY COULD HELP THE OTHER PERSON TO MOVE TOO,

THOSE WHO ARE DOING WHATEVER IT IS THEY ARE DOING AND HAPPY WITH THE CHOICE

LET'S STOMP, DANCE, LIVE, LOVE, FEEL  

~

Healing Heartaches, Stories of Loss and Life

continues to be read by many, yes I continue to be blessed in receiving many emails and reviews by the "true experts", those who have walked the walk, and know the journey from the darkness and now are wanting to or have gone into the light of life again differently.

~ ~ ~

As Dr Seuss would say, and I like to say often,

"Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind"

Wishing you the best Saturday ever, don't take any wooden nickels along the way! Tarpon Springs Florida is having a wicked arts and crafts show today! 

I invite you to visit my website; great reads there, great resources too!

Chris: NO stomping, no cleaning!!!

Jilly: We are with you,

FYI: Lily the Black Bear and Hope have more than 91,000 fans now on Facebook!

Joe G. almost time to get that nerve fixed!

I am richly blessed to roll with some powerful angels on this side and "the other-side" from the teeniest to the elders...

And for that I give thanks! And So It Is...

The Fire is hot, the embers ablaze for so many,

may you find some comfort in that.

Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, have the time of your life!

Remember Dale Carnegie?

"Are you bored with life? Then throw yourself into some work you believe in with all your heart, live for it, die for it, and you will find happiness that you had thought could never be yours" 

Wish I would have said that... haha

Guess living it is just as good though ~

Walk In Beauty

DRSES

http://www.drsherryeshowalter.com/

Healing Heartaches is available at the above website, also available at Amazon, Borders and Infinity Publishing

(*and who knows where else*)