A Day at the Park

Sometimes it’s the little things in life that make everything wonderful, and worthwhile.

This past weekend, I went to Ann Morrison Park. I was joined by my Mom, my brother, his wife, Cari & their friend, Ely…and, of course, Berlyn 🙂

It was a *beautiful* 90 degree, sunny day in Boise. Berlyn goes NUTS the minute she is outside, so naturally…she was EVERYWHERE, and giggling the entire time. We played on the playground, fed ducks (and geese..which, I am NOT a fan of, but as a Mom..you make sacrifices, lol), played kickball & ate yummy BBQ. I also taught Berlyn how to kill ants (much to my Mother’s dislike).

I find more & more that who you spend your time with has a great effect on your state of mind, and well-being.
My mom, brother, sister in law & daughter are some of my most favorite people so it’s no surprise I had such a fantastic day.

Michael.

I am completely in shock about Michael Jackson’s death yesterday.

But, I’m in even MORE shock about the fact that people are so cold, mean & heartless about it.

We all have our own opinions about Michael’s life..whether or not he did like little boys..or maybe, just thought he WAS one…that’s not our damn business.
This was a human life. He contributed 1,000 times more than YOU did to the World. So, shut it.

I have loved him my whole life. I respected him. And I felt sorry for him.
Can you imagine the amount of pressure on one single person? No wonder he went crazy!
Funny how our society, when they don’t like something or (ahem..don’t understand something) they immediately attack, pass judgements and feed off of drama & pain & misery. I really dislike our society sometimes. We complain about the over-saturation of the media in our lives…yet, who do ya think buys the tabloids? US!

Really, I am just sad. Bummed. It’s so jolting when someone like Michael dies, in our lifetime. Someone we have always known to “be there”. It reminds us of several things:
Life is short. We are mortal and will die one day. And, because of that – we need to live our lives well. Enjoy it. Enjoy our loved ones.
Get out there and do what WE want to do in our lifetime. Because, we only get one.

Maybe, it can also teach us another lesson – about how to treat people properly & as human beings. Just a thought.

None of us lived with him. None of us knew what went on in his mind or heart. Why don’t we just leave it at that & let him rest in peace.

God Bless & Michael, you will be missed! xoxo

PS~ This was taken from a blog I follow and I think she said this PERFECTLY…
“As I sit here today, submerged in a never-ending sea of snippets about Michael Jackson, I can’t help but feel a little ashamed. We made him. We made him and we laughed when he fell apart. Dress it up, take it out to dinner, hell, take it home to meet Dear Old Dad, we can’t escape that cold hard fact.”

~Mommyneedsvodka.com

My little farm girl

June 17th, 2009

Dose of MM

*Sigh*

I just adore her.

I saw “The Misfits” last night for the first time. Very strange, seeing it was actually her final film before her death in 1962.

It really moved me. Not the movie. But seeing her, in her last months of life and obviously, so completely lost.
But, always beautiful and always inspiring.

Long Live Marilyn.

I’ve totally gone Country. Oh sweet Jesus.

I’ve been many things in my life:

Dance Pop Tween.
Goth.
Hair Metal Groupie.
Jazz Enthusiast.

But, seriously….never in one hundred BILLION years did I ever expect this.
I’ve gone country.

Could have something to do with my longings to “go South”.
Maybe I’m just wanting a simpler life. Or, maybe I just want to do a complete 180 from what I’ve always known (and been).

Whatever it is, I like it.

This doesn’t hurt either….

Things to Remember.

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. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, will
this matter?’

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone for everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.

35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s,we’d
grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44. Yield.

45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”

One of the best little nuggets of wisdom I have acquired recently (from a dear friend) is this…
When you are having a rough/bad/miserable/frustrating day…you can always just “re-start” it at any point. Just stop, breathe and say, “I am starting the day over right now.” It’s really been working for me!

June 14th.

Funny how depression & mental illness can make people so uncomfortable.

Or treat you like they don’t really “know you anymore”.

I guess it’s easy for someone who has never had those problems to discount depression as being just a “funk” or a “bad mood”… or try to resolve it by telling the person to just “get over it or shrug it off.”

Yeah, I think I would’ve “gotten over it” by now. I’ve had it for 23 years. I totally enjoy being this way.
Not.

I don’t quite understand mental illness myself, except for 3 things:

1. Some people get it; some people don’t.
2. It’s genetic. So, those are the usual suspects who are gonna end up with it.
3. It’s an imbalance, chemically.

All the studies have been done. They are medical facts. Look em up.

It takes a strong person to go through mental illness’ ups and downs.
It takes a stronger person to stand by that person & just be their friend, no matter what.

With that, I know in time, I will be more than fine. I am human. I make mistakes, but at my core; I am good. I have lots of living to do still. I don’t intend to let “this” get the best of me. Not by a long shot.

On a side note, I read a great article this morning about another thing I struggle with (and really, who doesn’t?!)…forgiveness.

Many times, we all take something the wrong way. And, we get hurt. Some of us are more sensitive than others. Learning to let things slide off your back definitely takes time. For some of us, we are just beginning on that journey. Others may have mastered it. I’m still at square one. I have much resentment & bitterness built up from years of life events; feeling hurt, betrayed, used & angry. It does not, and will not, go away overnight. Or from a few counseling sessions. But, it will go away. That is something I am really looking forward to overcoming one day soon.

Forgiveness is hard for me sometimes. But, I am capable of it. Pretty much, always. I forgive just about everyone. I often think I should be more selective. But then, after reading this, I see it’s about doing the right thing, for yourself. The only one who really suffers is “you.”

****From Jonathan Lockwood’s newsletter, “Simply An Inspired Life”****

To expand upon the nature and benefits of forgiveness, let’s look first at what it means to forgive. The dictionary tells us that “to forgive” means “to stop feeling angry or resentful toward someone for something they did or failed to do.” It does not mean that you believe what the person did was acceptable then, or is now acceptable, or ever could be acceptable.

Forgiveness is about ending your anger. Anger is a destructive human emotion that rots our insides. It causes much of the physical illness in the world as well as untold emotional suffering. Freeing yourself from as much anger as you are holding is like taking a three hundred pound weight off your chest and six daggers out of your ribs.

The better question might be, “How can you NOT forgive?” Forgiveness – forgiveness of all people and all acts – is a sure path to happiness.

TGIF

This is definitely worth reading….and applying to your life! I’m going to try it for myself.

http://zenhabits.net/2009/06/the-10-essential-rules-for-slowing-down-and-enjoying-life-more/

“Be who you are and say what you feel. Because those who mind don’t matter and those who matter, don’t mind.”

Positive. Addiction.

I am totally into this idea right now:
Positive Addiction.

http://whitehottruth.com/white-hot/are-you-positively-addicted/

Thinking Clearly.

I wish I had read this article before this week. Would have saved me much heartache, turmoil & stress. Ugh.

http://thinksimplenow.com/clarity/how-to-quiet-your-mind/

This is so inspiring…and right on: –

“Follow these four rules to inner cleanse:

Say what you mean. Mean what you say.
Don’t say to anyone unless you can say to everyone.
Don’t say inside, what you cannot say outside.
Don’t say unless it is true, useful or kind.”

***You can even print out a little wallet-sized card that has these 4 Rules on it. I just did one for myself!