You are "be-YOU-tiful" and You Do Make a Difference

I have always stived to be a person that made a difference.  I think there was a time when I was somewhat successful in doing that.  Lately, I'm not so sure.  The interesting thing is that I know the problem is with me, I feel it, know it, and perhaps have been internalizing what I tell people not to do...  I've made internal excuses.  I know change is necessary.

At the 2011 Scentsy Annual Convention in Ft. Worth, Texas, Heidi Thompson spoke about the Power of One.  Powerful, moving and the spark I needed to begin the journey to get back on course. It would be well worth your time to listen to her talk.
I matter.  I make a difference.  You matter.  You make a difference.

Making a difference starts within ourselves.  If we are way off course, it may take a while to straighten out and get back on course.  There may be bumps and unfortunately bruises we have caused to get where we are.  The most important message is that you, me and most everyone we encounter are Be-You-tiful and the belief that we do make a difference.

I think there must be an understanding that who I make a difference to is not in my control, it is in their control.  I must accept that.  I must ensure that I provide every opportunity to make a difference to someone else and be at peace with the results.  I must attempt to rebuild any bridges that were burnt behind me, but most importantly, focus on the future and not dwell on the past.  Future actions are more important that past conversations.

You are beautiful, believe it and live it.  You do matter to me.

Sidebar:  I grabbed this graphic from Kirk Wiesler's "Thought 4 the Day" blog (http://kirkweisler.com/t4d/) without asking him...  I hope that isn't unethical or wrong, not intended to be.  I strongly recommend you vist Kirk's blog and sign up for his couple a week messages.  Kirk is incredible, inspirational and worth every word you'll read.

For What it's worth Mr. President, December 25th is Christmas

Last year I had 12 Christmas trees

I read a Facebook post that really bothered me, whether it is true or not.  One side of me thinks that is it quite possibly true, I hope not.  The other side of me believes it could be a Christan misrepresentation of what was really said and posted as a sensationalized, political smack of the President...  but again, my gut says it has significant truth to it.  Here's the post:

It was announced that there will not be Christmas trees at the White house this year. They will be called Holiday Trees. Obama says this is no longer a Christian Country, it's a country of many faiths. We as Americans must send the message to Obama that this Country was founded on Christian beliefs and we are STILL a Christian Country. Please repost this and let's stand up for CHRIST

My initial response is simple: Well Mr. President, if that's what you really feel, I'm sorry you are out of touch with the reality.  This is a country founded on Christian beliefs and it is a Christian country.  However, we are also an open and accepting of other faiths and beliefs which allow people of all faiths and beliefs to freely celebrated them.  I will not be forced to do things I do not believe in nor go against what I believe this country was built upon just because someone else may be offended.  Perhaps that person needs to do some soul searching and learn acceptance.  Mr. President, you are wrong.  In my house, I have a Christmas tree.  In my white house, you will also have a Christmas tree, call it what you may, it is still a Christmas tree, you know it and I know it.  On December 25th I will celebrate Christmas with a vast majority of others in the free world and most importantly, with most of the citizens of this country.  Unfortunately, so many have attempted to take Christ so far out of Christmas, it's almost not even a religious discussion anymore!

Christmas is not only celebrated by traditional Christians, but today celebrated my many non-Christan's around the world.  What we do not do (or at least should NOT be doing, is forcing non-believers to celebrate Christmas with us.  Do you think it would be fair to keep you and other non-believers to stay out of the stores during the times they are offering Christmas sales so we can purchase presents and other gifts to share with our loved ones?  No, we are lenient and accepting of all.

Why can't I celebrate Christmas...  We are a nation of acceptance that celebrates many things, in fact, almost everything.  Let's see, in January there's National Bath Safety Month, National Blood Donor Month, National Braille Literacy Month, National Hobby Month, Hot Tea Month, National Oatmeal Month, National Soup Month, American Heart Month, International Boost Self-Esteem Month, International Embroidery Month, Library Lovers Month, National Cherry Month, National Children’s Dental Health Month, National Snack Food Month, and Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month and National Bath Safety Month. 

February brings us to National Black History Month, American Heart Month, Wedding Month, Back For Family Fun Week, International Boost Self-Esteem Month, International Expect Success Month, National Bird Feeding Month, National Caffeine Addiction Awareness Month, National Cherry Month, National Children's Dental Health Month,  National Hot Breakfast Month, National Single and Searching Month, Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month, Publicity for Profit Month, Potato Lover's Month, Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month, Spiritual Teachers Month and Wise Health Care Consumer Month.

In March we celebrate National Nutrition Month, Red Cross Month, Social Worker's Month, Women's History Month, Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month, Umbrella Month, Peanut Month, Noodle Month, Mirth Month, Spring Month, Hoops Madness, Poetry Month, Umbrella Month, Youth Art Month, Academy Awards Month, Ethics Awareness Month, Help Someone See Month, Honor Society Awareness Month, Humorists Are Artists Month, International Listening Awareness Month, International Mirth Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, Music in Our Schools Month, National Collision Awareness Month, National Craft Month, National Kite Month, Optimism Month, Play the Recorder Month, Poison Prevention Awareness Month.

Do I need to go through every month here?  Do I need to come up with a list for the next 9 months?  We celebrate anything and everything.  "Bath Safety Month?"  Come on, give me a break.  Should all those people who don't take a bath be allowed to force us to change what we celebrate and call it "Cleansing Month" or "Stinkless Month"? I hope you get the point.  Christmas Day, without discussing the merits or accuracy of the day, is a day celebrated as a major festival and public holiday in countries around the world, including many whose populations are mostly non-Christian. The rest of the world does not celebrate "Holiday Day", they celebrate "Christmas Day".  In some non-Christian countries, periods of former colonial rule have even introduced the celebration, such as in Hong Kong; in others, Christian minorities or foreign cultural influences have led populations to observe the Christmas. Countries such as Japan and Korea, where Christmas is popular despite there being only a small number of Christians, have adopted many of the secular aspects of Christmas, such as gift-giving, decorations and Christmas trees.

Ah, the Christmas trees, we're at the point where many of us started hearing how opinions, like those that I opened with, began.  Political correctness should perhaps be rethought of as "political acceptance" instead.  When you tell me not to have a Christmas tree because you do are not Christan, aren't you telling me you do not accept and have tolerance to allow me to celebrate my beliefs?  Telling me I can not call the tree in my office that was setup to celebrate Christmas is you forcing your believes on me.  I am not Jewish but I don't call a Menorah a candle holder?  There is only only holiday a Christmas tree was designed to celebrate...  and that's Christmas.  It was never meant to be a holiday tree.

So Mr. President, and others of similar opinion, celebrate what you may, but when that pine tree goes up in my white house, decorated with lights, balls and other festive ornaments...  it's a Christmas Tree in my eyes and always will be. 

This writing was not intended to offend you or anyone else.  If you choose not to celebrate Christmas, I respect that.  If I choose to celebrate Christmas, all I ask is that you in turn, respect that.  I will be celebrating the holidays over the next month or so.  I will go to Christmas parties and will have a Christmas tree (actually several) in my house.  You are welcome to come visit (just give me a call first) and celebrate with me. 

I want my Christmas back.

Still trying...

I've wanted to write for the longest time...  always used the excuse there was not enough time, that's if I even thought about it...  most the time I never even think about it...  just jump from one fire to the next and then the day is over and we do it again.  Speaking of fires... I was working on Scentsy orders (and I do love Scentsy orders), stopped for a minute to put a bagel in the toaster that Travis had brought home for me from Panera (he takes care of his Papa).  Cinnamon Crunch...  they are so good.  Anyway, bagel in the toaster... quick trip to the bathroom while it toast.  When I come out I heard what I thought was water running.  It wasn't, it was the crunch boiling or something in the toaster with flames coming out of the top...  holy crap!

Anyway, fire is out, no damage...  back to the writing.  My friend Phil Gerbyshak was one of the first to encourage me to write...  it might have been Kirk Weisler, but I'll give the credit for this one to Phil because that's when I actually started writing in this and other logs more often.  Thanks Phil!  As you can see from the number of post here, I have not done a very good job at Phil and Becky Robinson 12 Minutes at a Time project, but I'm here trying again. 

Most recently, I have found Matt Cutt's TED presentation (less than 4 minutes) to "Try Something for 30 Days".  Great inspirational message.  Good enough to have be back here again doing what I know I want to do.  Sure wish I could speak like Matt...  maybe that's another thing I need to work on.  I should hurry while there is time.  Why is it we wait so long for what is important to us?

Gotta go practice.

Spread the message, and be one together

A few days ago, I wrote about the message a friend wrote on her blog just a few days before she passed away.  Her message was powerful, inspiring and one of deep love of people and happiness. She wished for all to make this a better world.

Tonight, I learned of the passing of a good friends brother.  I did not know Bjorn's brother, but I could sense what a special person he was through the heartache I felt in Bjorn's messages and post.  Specifically, this post is about the message Bjorn wrote after his brother's passing.  With his permission, I'm sharing it with you.  I hope you are able to take time to reflect and then take action to help make this world a better place to live, while we have the opportunity, one act at a time.

From Bjorn's Facebook post, September 6th....

I have lost my beloved brother…

Through grief and pain, there is joyful remembrance. We were blessed with time for sharing memories, tears, laughs, love, thanks, hugs and goodbyes. Family and friendships, distant and close, connected in ways we could have never imagined…

This morning I enjoyed a most amazing sunrise and sparkling presence in the Rocky Mountain wilderness, and I was one with life... and spirit.

I now take a moment to express my appreciation and love to friends here on FB! Let’s live life well! Let’s love, laugh, do good things, and have a great time together while we can. Look around you and you are sure to find endless opportunity for friendship, synergy and love. In the end, that’s what it’s all about my friend.

Brother and sister, come walk with me. Spread the message, and be one together. Let’s make this incredible world of ours the best it can be!

Thank you!


Swedish:

Jag har förlorat min käre broder…

Genom sorg och smärta, finner jag god ihågkomst. Vi var välsignade med tid för att dela minnen, tårar, skratt, kärlek, tack, kramar och farväl. Familj och vänner, när och fjärran, kopplades samman på sätt som vi aldrig kunnat drömma om...

Denna morgon fick jag uppleva den mest fantastiska soluppgång och sprudlande närvaro i Rocky Mountain vildmark, och jag var ett med liv och ande.

Nu tar jag ett ögonblick att uttrycka min tacksamhet och kärlek till vänner här på FB! Låt oss leva livet väl! Låt oss älska, skratta, göra goda ting, och ha det gott tillsammans medan vi kan. Se dig omkring, och du kommer finna oändliga möjligheter till vänskap, helhet och kärlek. I slutet, så är det just vad det handlar om min gode vän.

Broder och syster, kom gå med mig. Sprid meddelandet, och bli ett tillsammans. Låt oss forma denna vår otroliga värld vi lever i till det bästa den kan vara!

Tack!

I urge you do walk with Bjorn and I; make a concious decision each day to do something different that you might have in the past...  try little random acts of kindness and we'll all be in a better place.

Taking a minute for me... Wow!

I can't remember the last time I just took some time for me. Sitting back, not doing anything special... Drinking coffee (which I could stand to quit drinking) and having a bowl of soup. Not that Panera Bread is a bad place, it's not, but sitting on a deck overlooking a fresh water lake seems like it would be nicer.

The cool thing about being at Panera is many fold. Tyler worked here before leaving for colege... They loved him. He did a great job and was recognized for it many times. He received many Panera bucks while receiving the pats on the back. Since the bucks were only good in the New England stores, dad became the receipent. Tonight, Travis is working... and more or less cooked dinner for me. Using Tyler's Panera bucks, he bought dinner for me. This is the way it should be.

Well, almost, would be better not sitting here alone... but all is good.  Not sure what I like best...  the cherry pasty in the picture or lightly toasted cinnimon crunch bagles with butter....  yuuummmmmmmm.

Heading off into the next chapter...

This has been quite a week..  busy in every aspect.  Tyler has left for college!  Where has the time gone?  Being busy began while car shopping with him.  Typical car shopping experience...  oh come visit us so we can test drive and talk.  What amazed me was the unwillingness of the dealers to negotiate.  In some cases, they had brand new 2011 and 2012 vehicles sitting next to each other and wanted full sticker on both.  Tried telling us there was no difference.  Well Curry; Balise and the others we visited and test drove, you all lost a sale.

Tyler is very happy with his Nissan Versa.  The hardest point for me was him driving out on Saturday morning on his way to college.  Maybe seeing him miss the driveway and drive out across the lawn made me wonder if he had enough driving experience to drive to Georgia!!!  Actually, he drove right up to the front door to load his loot, not unheard of around here to shorten the number of steps we need to take to get to the car.  He's actually on his way to Maryland for a few days with his brother and mother.  Later this week he and his mother will drive to Savannah and get him moved into his new digs for the next 4 years (minus vacation time).  He's wanted to study 3D animation for as long as I can remember.  I always thought he wanted to work on Toy Story 4...  but I guess he really wants to work on new projects.  Best of luck Tyler on reaching for the stars. (Pixar, Disney, Dreamworks - take note of him...  he's good and will need an outstanding job at the end of 4 years to pay off his college mortgage).

Sad Day... Happy Day... Good Ending

Today was one of those days.  Started out on a sad note as I attended Heidi's funeral.  Very touching service... I could only wish so many people would attend my services after my demise. Very emotional messages as one would expect, some crying, some laughter as we celebrated the memory of Heidi.  I thought it was especially touching when a female funeral director came forward to read a message from Heidi's husband David, who is deaf.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the house as even she broke down.

There were emotions in the middle of the day, but completely different.  Frustration, contempt, dismay, wrongdoing, incompetence, fraud, deceitful and a handful of other terms come to mind.  It is hard to be among a group of good people doing what they should be yet be infiltrated with people of the kind I was first thinking.  I hate being a part of that!

Then things turned better.  I hooked up with my son who has been stressing out because I have not been doing the things he has hoped for in the time frame he wanted.  I understand that...  I'm trying to be better.  The important thing is that we jot the job done today and got him a new, well, almost new car.  He was smiling from ear to ear.  We had an appointment with Rosaleen at UMass Five College Federal Credit Union at 4:00... she leaves for the day at 4:30.  After getting hing up at the office, we got there at 4:20.  Bless you Rosaleen for staying late and taking care of things for Tyler.  You are the best.  I know I can say that because she does it time after time... I know from personal experience.  Got to Nicky D's by 5:30 and Tyler paid for his car.  Now he is waiting until tomorrow afternoon...  I hope they had it ready for him.  Tomorrow will be a good day for him!

The day is coming to a close on yet another happy note as we close out the Scentsy Spring/Summer catalog for 2011.  It was nice helping 3 new people get there orders in before the midnight deadline!  WooHoo!  Great month.  Did not quite reach the goal of $2,000 in sales, but tripled the sponsoring goal.  Sales are for today, sponsoring is for life.  I'm happy and the end of the tunnel is getting closer for the next magical ride.  Come join me!