Memories....may be beautiful, and yet...

..whats too painful to remember, we simply choose to forget.

So it's the laughter, we'll remember...whenever we remember, the way we were....

Weekend wrapup...

1. Dear Martinelli '06 Bella Vigna Pinot Noir: Help me feel better about the very real possibility of having to move my kids to another town. Okay, so truthfully - while the wine is rocking delicious (and a bit sweeter than I'd normally prefer when it comes to a Pinot Noir, but I digress...) - it's actually making me ponder what my hang up really is. I mean, so long as I'm moving my kids to an equally good or better school system (in this case, it would be better and I love, love, love my school current school system), what is my issue? I mean, the kids are all friends online with XBOX Live, so staying in touch is certainly not a big deal. And it's not so far away that friends can't come and visit on weekends....it's not like when I was a kid. When you moved - it was the end of the world. And fortunately, it's not as if my children lack in social skills so as that they can't easily make friends. So really, why am I feeling as if my nails are being torn from my fingers when I think of moving out my current zip code? There is a house two towns over that looks spectacular on line - everything we're looking for in a house, plus it's a great school system - and so I think I really need to just get a grip. The kids aren't overly averse to the idea, so why the heck am I having such difficulty?

2. It's Father's Day weekend! And I have yet to send a gift to my Father. Oops.... Must get on that promptly.

3. It's Father's Day weekend....and the kids and I went and did our traditional gift of a photographic Tshirt. This will be G's 11th Tshirt, and it's amazing to see how the kids change each year. I swear, my kids will do this when they're in their 20s if I have my way! And it will be even more fun when they get older because when they have children, it will be "Grandfather" shrits (though truly, we won't be old enough to be grandparents, just sayin'...) with the kids on them. I love having traditions, they're so important to me - and so I hope that someday my kids appreciate the traditions that we have and continue them on in their own family. Even if it's something as small as a picture on a Tshirt....

4. And finally.... no matter what is going on in life, no matter whether the sun is shining outside or it's raining -- enjoy the ones you surround yourself with. Life is too short to be grumpy or angry. Let it go, and just love the life you have. Nothing lasts forever, and even if you're in a bad spot right now - it's only going to be temporary. Good times, bad times -- nothing stays static forever. So accept the here and now - and look toward the future. Embrace your health, and your wealth of personal value. And live life as loudly as you can! Hug and kiss the ones who mean the most to you....and have fun with whatever you do.

Music that changed my life...for different reasons, different seasons.

The very first time I heard of Linda Eder was 4th of July 2000. I was watching the Boston Pops by myself - and she taking the stage. That night, I forever became a fan of hers - and very specifically - this song. When I say it moved me watching her sing, I'm not exaggerating. To this day, I still feel that the last 60 seconds of the song is one of most beautiful endings, ever. I hope you enjoy it too.





Ahh, the lovely Miss Edie Brickell - her fabulous lyrics and hippie like style changed this metal loving girl forever. While I always was a fan 60s and 70s folk as well - this song in particular came out at the right time to prove that flower power didn't have to be a thing of the past. The theme became a mantra that I still hang onto today. What I am is what I am -- are you what you are, or what....?





Another 80's classic - and one of my most favorite bands, the Cult - had a song that caught my ear and my heart. This song stands out for me because while I always was in admiration of good lyrical arrangement, this one in particular drew me in because of it's tragedy. Not just about the death of the star of the song - but the tragic way the song tells the story. So much raw emotion comes through, and you can't help but feel it.





We hear the National Anthem thousands of times over our lifetime - by a variety of artists. But no one artist has ever sung it so effortless, beautifully and with such emotion as Miss Whitney Houston at the Superbowl 1991. To this day it gives me goosebumps when I hear it and feel oh-so proud to be American.





And finally....while there are dozens of other songs that I could share with you all that forever impacted my life, I will leave you with this one. This is the acoustic version of the original that I'd heard - but it restored my faith in the fact that there is truly talent out there, who can put out a cd - and have every single song be absolutely amazing. From beginning to end. And that...is a gift.

Teach your children well....

"Parents need to fill a child’s bucket of self-esteem so high that the rest of the world can’t poke enough holes to drain it dry.”
- Alvin Price

"Don’t handicap your children by making their lives easy.”
-Robert A. Heinlein

“If you want your children to improve, let them overhear the nice things you say about them to others.”
- Haim Ginott

"The guys who fear becoming fathers don’t understand that fathering is not something perfect men do, but something that perfects the man. The end product of child raising is not the child but the parent.”
- Frank Pittman

You don't really understand human nature unless you know why a child on a merry-go-round will wave at his parents every time around - and why his parents will always wave back. ~William D. Tammeus

In bringing up children, spend on them half as much money and twice as much time. ~Author Unknown

"Let your eyes light up when your children are around. Laugh more. Tell them how empty and quiet it is when they’re not there. Enjoy the things they bring to your life. Attend their activities, not as if they were compulsory for parents, but throw yourself into their lives."

--Valerie Bell

I'd like to teach the world to sing, in perfect harmony...

Undisturbed calmness of mind is attained by cultivating friendliness toward the happy, compassion for the unhappy, delight in the virtuous, and indifference toward the wicked.

Knowing others is intelligence. Knowing yourself is true wisdom.

The mind is everything; what you think, you become.

Whatever you can do, or dream you can do, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate
Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.
It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us.
We ask ourselves, "Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented and fabulous?"
Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God; your playing small doesn't serve the world.

These are a few of my favorite things....

Iced cold pineapple. Lavendar & vanilla. Freshly cut cilantro. A very aged Gouda. Sugared plum candles. Soft fuzzy pajamas. Conversation with a good friend. A good Sonoma Chardonnay. Hearing my children's laughter. Smoked salmon and cream cheese. The cool night air with a hint of smoke. The soft tickle of facial hair. Warm socks fresh from the dryer. A house full of love and laughter.

Today's post is brought to you by the letter "R" and the number "1".

Respect.

re·spect   /rɪˈspɛkt/ [ri-spekt]
–noun
esteem for or a sense of the worth or excellence of a person, a personal quality or ability, or something considered as a manifestation of a personal quality or ability.

Something you should always have for others. From the way you speak to them - to the way you behave towards them - to the way you carry yourself in front of others who may be impressionable.

And most importantly - have it for yourself.

Me, I'm a part of your circle of friends....

What would you do if you had a friend who's loyalty you questioned?
Would you address it.... or would you just let it go.

Keep it tucked in the back of your mind for future use...Change your expectations of that relationship -- but not completely cut them off? Decide it's better to have them in your life, even if on the peripheral - than not at all.

Sometimes people do things, say things, act out - in ways different than they used to, or different than we'd ever expect them to. Sometimes, a good person will do a not so great thing. Does it mean they don't have good character? Or does it mean that sometimes we never know how we will react in a given situation, or when exposed to certain elements or even changes in our lives.

Is it better to have a friend disappoint you, but stay in your life.... than to not have them there at all...? How important is loyalty in a friendship? Is it mutually exclusive with trust or are they two separate animals.

Or is loyalty just too demanding of a word.....

Lyrically speaking, of course...

I've got money in my pockets
I like the color of my hair
I've got a friend who loves me
Got a house, I've got a car
I've got a good mother
And her voice is what keeps me here
Feet on ground, heart in hand
Facing forward be yourself...

It's only half past the point of no return
The tip of the iceberg, the sun before the burn
The thunder before lightning, the breath before the phrase
Have you ever felt this way?

Don't think too hard
Don't think too fast
Don't ever give away
What you can't take back...

Have you ever thrown a fist full of glitter in the air?
Have you ever looked fear in the face and said I just don't care?

If you just believe.....

Tonight I watched my all time favorite Christmas movie - and I had not seen it since I was about 21 years old: "Miracle on 34th St.".

I had the kids watch it with me which truthfully, I was relatively torn about. My son is 9.5 and definitely still believes in Santa. Without a doubt. Plus, he's always asked if I believe and of course, I absolutely do. Santa is just a manifestation of the kindness and generosity of the human spirit. And I do believe in that, whole heartedly. Fortunately, he appreciated the movie for what it was, and still believes in the man in the red suit; he mentioned before going up to bed that he was going to "ask Santa" for something tomorrow. Tomorrow night, both kids are writing their letters and we'll be dropping them off in the mail.

I am hopeful that they day won't come where the kids don't "believe" in Santa Claus; I am thinking that while they may not believe that there is just one man in a red suit who flies through the air at night - there is "Santa" within us all, and that the magic of Christmas doesn't have to be just once a year...though it may feel more magical at this time, the truth is that the kindness of spirit is something that we should share all year round...and at all times, with all people.

Truth of the matter is, when Christmas Eve comes -- and we hear the "spotting" of his sleigh in the sky, we all look up and watch. And for just a tiny second, every single one of us thinks maybe, just maybe....and that is what Christmas is about.

Hope, faith, believe and love.

Freedom has a taste to those who fight and almost die, that the protected will never know.

War is an ugly thing, but not the ugliest of things. The decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feeling which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. The person who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.
--John Stewart Mill--

Never give in--never, never, never, never, in nothing great or small, large or petty, never give in except to convictions of honour and good sense. Never yield to force; never yield to the apparently overwhelming might of the enemy.
--Winston Churchill--

Be convinced that to be happy means to be free and that to be free means to be brave. Therefore do not take lightly the perils of war.
--Thucydides--

People sleep peaceably in their beds at night only because rough men stand ready to do violence on their behalf.
--George Orwell--

Freedom isn't free.
--Anonymous--

Thursday's Random Thoughts....

1. Zahra Clare Baker, who used hearing aids and a prosthetic leg because of bone cancer, was reported missing over the weekend by her father and stepmother. Except, the authorities are looking for her remains because they believe she is dead. At the hands of her stepmother, and possibly even her father. Can you imagine?!?! Kill, kill, kill....! That's my opinon. Does the death penalty avert crimes like this? Those opposed to capital punishment may suggest that it doesn't - but I'm telling you, make the taking of a life with malice and forethought punishable by death - and people just might think twice before harming others -- especially the young and innocent.

2. It's still rather surreal for me when I think about my Mom. I know that I was rather fortunate in having the ability to say goodbye - but you know, I'm still really haunted by that last day. Really, I am. My daughter talks about her alot - she mentioned her again today, and how that last day was the last time we saw her; about how the last time we took her out, it was out for ice cream, only 10 days or so prior to her passing. It's just a weird, strange feeling when I think about that period of time. I wonder if when she stayed with me, she knew how much of a gift she gave the kids for them to be able to spend time with her. I know I'm certainly not the only person to lose a parent, but trust me when I tell you - it's an unsettling feeling to not have your Mother, at least at this stage in life. Many have lost sooner, I know; but it never is really the right time I suppose.

3. I think I need to make a little time for me soon. The holidays are coming and I'm going to be crazy busy at work -- I've yet to make a Wrentham run (can you imagine?!), I never got that massage I wanted over a year ago now -- and Mommy needs a little R&R. I think the week after next I'm making a Monday Wrentham Run (insert angels choiring HERE), and maybe the week after will be a spa day. My problem is - I really love my job, and I hate not being at the store. It's an extension of who I am, in the best way - so I really don't mind being there during the day, as opposed to being at an office. Now, if only I can stick to the plan of taking a day off....

Free your mind...and the rest will follow.

Creativity is maximized when you're living in the moment.

Successful people replace the words "wish", "should" and "try" with "I will."

Breathe deeply and appreciate the moment.

Jealousy works the opposite of the way you want it to; so don't waste the emotion.

Your outlook on life is a direct reflection of how much you like yourself.

Friends are more important than money.

Life is full of setbacks.

Do one thing each day that scares you.

A 'No' uttered from the deepest conviction is better than a 'Yes' merely uttered to please, or worse, to avoid trouble.

All children behave as well as they are treated.

Discipline your son in his early years while there is still hope. If you don't you will ruin his life.

Praise your children openly, reprehend them secretly.

Life affords no greater responsibility, no greater privilege, than the raising of the next generation.

Discipline doesn't break a child's spirit half as often as the lack of it breaks a parents heart.

If a child lives with criticism, he learns to condemn.
If a child lives with hostility, he learns to fight.
If a child lives with ridicule, he learns to be shy.
If a child learns to feel shame, he learns to feel guilty.
If a child lives with tolerance, he learns to be patient.
If a child lives with encouragement he learns confidence
If a child lives with praise, he learns to appreciate.
He a child lives with fairness, he learns justice.
If a child lives with security, he learns to have faith.
If a child lives with approval, he learns to like himself.
If a child lives with acceptance and friendship, he learns to find love in the world.

Teach your children well.

Once upon a time, in your wildest dreams....

I've always believed that when you dream of a person who's passed - it's a visit from them.

I'd never had one -but I've always firmly believed that's what it means - and if ever a friend mentioned that they'd had a dream about a loved one, I'd try to reaffirm that belief with them so that they'd feel good about the experience.

I don't typically remember my dreams; and if I do, the funny thing is - they don't typically involve people I know. I mean, I know who they are - but they don't look like the people they're supposed to be. Almost as if it's just representation of who they are; but usually it's almost just so faint, it's like a watercolor painting that wasn't quite dry and someone threw water on it so the images start to melt away.

But this morning, I dreamt of my Mom. She was there... and she was sick, but she wasn't incapacitated; and she was walking along the beach with me - which is rather ironic because she never liked the beach, and I even vaguely recall saying that to her -- but yet there we were. Anyway, there are many details to the dream which I won't get into here - but the way it ended was that she sent me a birthday gift. The last thing before I woke up suddenly was hearing her voice saying "because it's your birthday honey..."

I woke up..... and I cried.
(We all know how infrequently I cry. It just felt so real, I could still smell the ocean.)

I thought maybe today was the 8th -- but it's not; tomorrow is 3 months that she passed; my birthday is next month.

And today.....I had a visit.
Maybe it's an early birthday present.

Land that I love...

So, I don't get to blog surf much - but when I do, one of my very first stops is to Suldog. He's over there in the Guest List, and you should check him out if you haven't already. Anyway, last night I had a few minutes to surf and he had this great post about 100 things he loves about America. Fun, right?

I felt compelled to play along, natch.

Some are specific, some are more vague - and while some may not be American exclusive per se - they're still on my list. Let's play, shall we...? I have to be honest, I can't come up with 100 for tonight, but I can do 50 anyway.
(By the way, if you do a list - please feel free to share yours with me!)

1. Apple Pie. Though not my personal first choice of pie - it is pretty darn spectacular if made right, particularly with a little caramel melted in. Just sayin'...
2. Baseball. Really, need I say more?
3. The freedom to say what we want, sing what we want, write what we want and protest when we choose to.
4. Our Government. Listen, it's not perfect - but it's ours. Besides, I can say things about my dysfunctional family members, but God help the other person who calls my family dysfunctional. You hear me clucking big chicken?
5. The generosity of the American people. It's seemingly never ending, isn't it?
6. Our hard-ass reputation. I'm sorry, other countries might dislike us (bla, bla, whine whine) - but who do they come running to when they're in trouble. I don't think it's France.... just sayin'.
7. We drive on the RIGHT side of the road.
8. English. Listen - I love, love, love foreign languages - but let's be honest, English is just easier to understand. There's nothing gutteral, it doesn't take fancy tongue movements, there's nothing muffled about it.
9. Hollywood. Really, there's nothing like the allure of the beautiful people.
10. NYC. Is there a city other than Boston that's more fun than NYC?
11. Boston. Beacause this is where it all begin.... we are the history, the tradition, the guts and the glory. We are the heart & sould of America. Because I "love that dirty water"....

12. Elvis. Sure, England had the Beatles - but we had the King.
13. The American Dream. This is the land of opportunity. It's all yours if you just apply yourself and try. You don't get nothing for nothing... but you can have it all if you work hard.
14. The American Spirit. Oh yes, there is such a thing. And it is inherent within us all. "Live free or die" is more than a state motto - it's a mindset.
15. Southern Cooking. Truly - does it get any better than fried chicken, grits, collard greens and sweet potato pie? Um, I don't think so...!
16. Key West. Does this really need explaining?
17. TV Culture. From Fonzie, to The Jeffersons - The Brady Bunch to Seinfeld and everything in between - our television culture rocks. Sure it bombs from time to time as well, but seriously - we've had some great tv.
18. FoodTV. Speaking of TV, we've got some kickin' master chefs to show us how it's done.
19. Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Thank God for that little creation.
20. Doritos. Second best creation on Earth.
21. Stupid Celebrities. Seriously, you've gotta love them. Especially with fabulous soundbites like "Crack is whack!".
22. Patriotic Songs. We have tons of them! And they're all really pretty great; I don't know about anyone else, but I still get a little faklempt post 9-11 at times listening to them.
23. Sept 11th. Yes, it was horrible and tragic -- but we own it. It's ours, and I've chosen to embrace it. It's our day to mourn the losses, and celebrate the fact that we will never, ever, ever allow something like that to happen to us again. Own the tragedy - and take the power away from the beast. Yippie ki-yay Mo'Fo. Just sayin'...
24. BBQ. From Missouri, to Texas -- we've got the best BBQ foods around!
25. Folk music. Peter Paul & Mary, Joanie Mitchell, Joan Collins, Joan Baez...the list goes on and on from the more traditional to newer contemporary folk-ish. It's one of my personal favorite genres, and it doesn't get more Americana than that.
26. Doo Wop Diners. Maybe there are some elsewhere, but I'm thinking that's a little gem that's probably all ours.
27. McDonalds & Burger King. Sure - it's bad for us, but seriously - it still tastes pretty darn good even though we pay for it later after we eat it. And those two bad boys certainly have taken over the world...



28. Cheesy Reality TV. Okay - we may not have created it, but wow - we've certainly done well with it. Jersey Shore is living proof that only in America are people happy being famous for being idiots.

29. Friends. I know I said Television Culture earlier - but where else does a TV show create a hair style that rocked the world like the "Rachel" did? And so many mannerisms that we've all embraced? Friends is truly a standout.

30. Seinfeld. Seriously needs no explanation and just goes with the above.

31. Dollar Stores. How cool are they in a pinch sometimes? Truly, fun for a Mom with two young children. Where else can a parent give their child a pick of two things, come out without spending a ton of money - and have the kids feel like Kings & Queens?

32. Fantastic Stand Up Comedians. Call me crazy, but I've yet to see anyone funny from another country. Throw a name out there if I'm wrong.

33. Twitter. Love it for business use - and you got it, created right here in the USA.

34. Superman. The strongest man on Earth, who's all about Truth, Justice and the American Way. He's from another planet who happened to land in good ol' Kansas. Does it get any better than that?

35. Great ethnic neighborhoods. Little Italy, Little Chinatown, Koreatown, The French Quarter, etc... because we are America, we've got these great little neighborhood sections in all of our major cities to allow us to embrace not only what might be our own heritages - but other people's as well.

36. Boxing. I don't know if it started here in America, but it definitely is part of our roots with immigration.

37. New England Boiled Dinner. Thank you to the Irish Immigrants for introducing us to the Corn Beef & Cabbage feast.

38. Square Dancing, Line Dancing and the like. Remember when everyone square danced? I didn't - but my parents did! And I loved, loved, loved the skirts. So twirly and fun!

39. The 4th of July. It's all red, white & blue - and all about us!

40. The ball drop on New Years Eve. Sure, that might not be inherently ours -but the world watches ours!

41. Budweiser. Not my personal favorite - but it's definitely a warm, fuzzy American product. Or well, it used to be - before a Belgian company bought it.

42. American Airlines. Definitely one of my favorite airlines.

43. Cabot, Jasper Hills, Cowgirl Creamery. We have some freakin' delicious cheeses, just to name a few!

44. Starbucks. Probably not the best coffee in the world in comparison to some other countries, but for "fast food" coffee -- it's pretty good. Pretty, pretty good.

45. Christmas Tree Shops. I just love a bargain -- don't you?

46. Yankee Candle. The best smelling candles ever.... !!!

47. The Pledge of Allegiance. I love it the way it is - in it's original form. We are one Nation, under God (I don't care what you name your God - it's still a God), indivisible (when push comes to shove), with Liberty & Justice for all.

48. The Stars & Stripes. Forever....

49. The Statue of Liberty, and all that she stands for. "Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free."

50. The Declaration of Independence. "Life, Liberty & the Pursuit of Happiness"....

I care not so much what I am in the opinion of others as what I am in my own...

The only real failure in life is the failure to try.

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations.

If my mind can conceive it, and my heart can believe it, I know I can achieve it.

There is no swagger as danerous as over-confidence. Embrace humility.

Life is like a game of cards. Reliability is the ace, industry the king, politeness the queen, thrift the jack. Commonsense is playing to best advantage the cards you draw. And every day, as the game proceeds, you will find the ace, king, queen, jack in your hand and opportunity to use them.

Once you accept the fact that you’re not perfect, then you develop some confidence.

Happy Days are here again....

I love Fridays.
Who doesn't, right?

But today's a really nice one. I'm totally digging the rain; the kids and I are on the sofa right now, watching "The Tooth Fairy" in front of a fire (yes, it's gorgeously tropical still, but they wanted a fire and it just looks like a good fireplace kind of night!) while they have a nice hot cocoa, and this girl - a glass of wine. (Dinner: Marinated pork loin, salad w/ lettuce fresh from the garden, and corn with fresh basil. Can't wait - the house smells delicious!)

I got a text from a good friend of mine who also happens to be the best yoga teacher in the world. Truly - the best. Around these parts anyway! I don't get to go to her studio that often anymore because of my work hours, but I'll be going tomorrow morning. (Yay!) I was supposed to go tonight, but it didn't work out - and, she's going to come to the new studio that I go to on Tuesday with me, which is so very cool. I just love her, and have truly missed her - so to get to see her again is a great thing, despite the fact that it didn't go as I'd planned for today.

I'm really quite fortunate. I mean, I've got a beautiful family - but in addition to that, I'm surrounded by good people; I've got friends who are just genuinely good people.

And that's just one of the many reasons why I'm loving Friday today; it's a good day to reflect upon the week, and life in general.

People are people so why should it be, you and I should get along so awfully...

Have you ever known anyone who really believes it's "all about them"?

Have you ever known people who were so insecure about themselves, they genuinely can't like anyone else?

Have you ever known people who don't like certain personality traits of their own, so they reflect them onto other people without any true rationale or basis for the accusation?

Jealousy. Resentment. Insecurity. Negativity.
All wasted emotions.
Who has time for it? And more importantly - ugh, the energy?!?!

Life is too short - and truly, if you can't be happy in your own skin then you can't be happy with anyone else.

I much prefer to subscribe to the Ghandi perspective: "Be the change you want to see in the world". I am not perfect, but I'm okay with not having to be either. And so long as I am a good person, then that's one step in the right direction. I rather like being a work in progress - there's so much to learn in life.

At the same time, I'm not easily influenced by others; I believe in who I am as a person, and so I don't need to be validated by someone else's approval; I'm usually pretty good about not judging others until they've given me a reason to make a decision about who they are as a person. I know that not everyone else is like that - and it can be a struggle sometimes.

Life isn't easy. We all won't always get along; and we all won't always like each other's points of views. But we all need to respect one another, when we're feeling good about ourselves -- and when we're having moments of insecurity.

We are in control of our own destiny - and there is no one else responsible for our own successeses or mistakes in life -- than ourselves.

Que Sera, Sera...whatever will be -- will be.

I wish I could take credit for the following items - but I can't. Though I've been known to paraphrase them from time to time, and always have long before this email came into my inbox. They're pretty much common sense, but sometimes - we don't all take the time to actually utilize our own common sensability; either because we choose not to, or don't take the time to.

Life is a garden. Bloom where you are planted.
And enjoy the following. (I'm bolding my personal favorites. Be aware, there may be many!)

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, author of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more."

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick.. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else. 20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.
21... Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
25. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ''In five years, will this matter?"...
26. Always choose life.
27. Forgive everyone everything.
28. What other people think of you is none of your business...
29. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
30. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
31. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
32. Believe in miracles.
33. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
34. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
35. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
36. Your children get only one childhood.
37. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
38. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
39. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
40. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
41. The best is yet to come.
42. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
43. Yield.
44. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.