Life is Too Short...

... to be anything but happy.

I recently ventured out of my kingdom with the little humans that occupy my world. The time we spent together was priceless, and I learned a thing or two about myself along the way. It was nothing earth shattering, nothing I didn't already know logically, but, rather, things I needed to know experientially, allowing me to answer some questions that had been swirling around in my pea sized brain.

At the end of our journey, I was reminded of the following quote that has been making its way around the intrawebz. I'm not much of a re-poster but this one hit home.

An old man once said, "There comes a time in your life, when you'll walk away from all the drama and people who created it. You'll surround yourself with people who make you laugh. Forget the bad, and focus on the good. Love the people who treat you right, pray for the ones who don't. Life is too short to be anything but happy. Falling down is a part of life, getting back up is living."

Indeed.

Mother's Day

My Mother's Day was spent hiking by a stunning waterfall, soaking in the sunshine and giggling with my children.

As I sat on the deck that evening sipping a glass of wine and reflecting on a perfect day, it dawned on me that as a mother, sometimes the days are long, but, ultimately, the years are short.

A Lovely Little List...

It's a funny thing when you've so much to say that you don't even know where to start, so I figured some random thoughts might be in order.

1. I love lists. To do lists, itemized lists, shopping lists...

2. I used to never cry. Now I find I cry easily. I can't decide if this is a bad thing (have I become overly emotional?) or a good one (do I feel more passionately now?). I'm leaning towards good, though it is mildly inconvenient.

3. It's entirely possible to feel utterly alone while surrounded by other people.

4. I am just me. And I am just me to you, no matter who you are. If you are the love of my life, I am just me. If you are a stranger on the street, I am just me. If you are my co-worker, my child's teacher, my neighbor, my client... I am just me. Why is it that so many people behave differently depending upon their audience or circumstances? The world would be a better place if we could all remember that it's the people we hold dearest that we need to treat the best and then use that as a model for how to behave amongst the rest of the people we encounter.

5. Good kids are the result of good parenting. "Luck" has little to do with it.

6. There is no item number six.

7. My animals bring me joy and teach me about unconditional love. I can't imagine a home or a life without them.

8. A long time ago I was told to "never go to bed angry". It's good advice.

9. In little things, there is happiness. The problem is that most people are too caught up in themselves or in their daily grind or maybe even their half-empty negativity to recognize all the little things. I'm grateful that I'm not "most people". Today I find happiness in snuggles from Exhibit C, the fact that Exhibit B played capture the flag at school, Exhibit A's prospects at auditions tomorrow, and having found a hauntingly beautiful new song to listen to when the mood strikes.

10. The world is best viewed from atop a bicycle... for we travel at the perfect pace to not only reach our destinations but to enjoy the scenery along the way. I suppose this works, metaphorically, for a few other things but I won't point that out. Surely you know that already... :)

Surrender

So I used the word "surrender" in another place in which I like to wax poetic from time to time.

The context was that I was going to surrender to sleep, and I meant it, but, because it is, perhaps, entirely possible that some of the readers there know me well enough to know there's often more to my writing than meets the eye, I realized that for many who read it, the word surrender seemed self-defeating and therefore out of character for me. It summoned up some reactions I'd not anticipated.

Sometimes, when we've worked so hard at something, focused so much, strived for an unattainable goal, tried to force a puzzle piece, hoped with every fiber of our beings, bargained with ourselves and/or him or her or them, simply done all we can do, there comes a time when we must surrender in order to allow something better to take hold. Sometimes, the courage to surrender is far greater than the courage to keep pushing, and often there are missed opportunities simply because we fail to surrender the comfort of what is known for the challenge of what is not.

Even in the most trying times I've found that understanding this, learning this, owning this, living this, provides an unparalleled sense of peace that resides deep within us, a reminder that sometimes, freeing ourselves through the act of surrender is, indeed, a reflection of our strength, self-awareness, and ability to persevere.

Etch-A-Sketch

I want to be more like an Etch-A-Sketch, I think, for an Etch-A-Sketch keeps no record of wrongs.

It's clear to all who know me well that only value-added relationships are welcome in my kingdom, and I certainly don't believe that "forgive and forget" is always feasible, or even desirable. Etch-a-Sketchiness is not so much about the aftermath of an egregious breach of trust, rather, it's about the ability to overlook some of the small things when it's really the big picture that matters; to not hold a grudge or keep a mental score when it's possible to shake out the mistakes and start again with a freshly cleaned screen.

Further, an Etch-a-Sketch reminds me that when one path ends, I must travel back the way I came or forge ahead in a newly created direction, I must find a way or make one.

Let's Bust a Move...

Last week I was teaching an indoor cycling class. A woman arrived 15 minutes late and, as she entered, was struck by the music and spontaneously began to dance as she moved across the room.

It occurred to me then that we should all be so fortunate to have the confidence and inspiration to, every once in awhile, arrive someplace dancing.

Some Kind of Help...

really isn't all that helpful.

I would like to go on record with this: Unless you live it, I know more about my illness than you.

Therefore, it is not necessary for the following kinds of help:

1. Intrawebz links to "new" medical findings. I'm pretty sure all of my doctors read every journal that relates to their specialties. I'm good, thanks.

2. Suggestions that vitamins might be the answer. Really? What kinds of vitamins did you have in mind beause last time I checked, Fred Flintstones couldn't cure any incurable illnesses.

3. Green Tea. Don't get me wrong, I love green tea. In fact, I have a cup of peppermint green tea sitting right here next to me. However, it makes me cranky that green tea is now seen as the solution to everything. You're tired? Have you tried green tea? Yes. You can't fall asleep? Have you tried green tea? Yes. You're forgetful? Have you tried green tea? Not sure, can't remember.

4. I know a doctor. Do you want me to tell him about you? Ummmm... not really. I tell my own doctors plenty about me. It's kinda fun 'cause it makes them wanna bang their heads against the wall and roll their eyes but instead they just smile. I don't have time to train another doctor. Clearly.

There's so much more but you get the point. I know people are trying to be helpful but sometimes it's hard not to laugh. Out loud. A lot.