Think.....Bubbles!

I'm giving myself permission today to indulge in something that I have a great love for doing, and don't often find the time to do these days; writing!

I recently had the opportunity to reconnect with a dear, dear friend with whom I'd lost touch and speaking with her reminded my of why I have always enjoyed her company so much. Not only is she a strikingly beautiful woman inside and out, she always had a special gift of being able to describe places she'd been or people she had spent time with in amazing detail-so much so that I would feel like I was right there with her. She always did it in such a beautiful and eloquent way, sharing the most endearing and captive features about a particular individual, place or thing. I always cherished her special gift for this, and reminded myself constantly to make every effort to celebrate my friends, family and people I met and places I traveled to in the same manner at every opportunity.

Why? Well things can get so mundane, in our daily routines, overwhelming schedules and all we need to do. It helps to center oneself on what God really intended; for us to love and help each other and our neighbors and take time out to appreciate all that is good and right with this world.

Everything seems so hectic and rushed these days-it's so refreshing to take one minute to savor something-really enjoy it-something as simple as cuddling with one of your children or your significant other, (listening to an uplifting program on the radio-NPR has alot of those and I am especially enjoying a program called Midday Connection these days),enjoying a walk in the park with your dog or having lunch with someone whose company you enjoy. It is important to surround yourself with as much positive energy as you can and just as important to pass it on.
I always like to visualize a huge bubble I fill with a bunch of good karma that I gently send on its way to touch someone, often times quite unintentionally. I try to send one of these out daily, and I find that whatever I send out into the world always comes back two or three fold to me sometimes in a simple form, other times, in full fanfare. I don't do this expecting to receive anything; I do it because it feels right and I suppose it is one of the laws of the universe-you can't reap what you don't sow, right? It's just getting your mind to think in a more purposeful way-which is harder than you think, but so worth it if you can do it. I'm a Christian, so I know it is God's power that is behind all of this-but you can put your own spin on it.

Try sending a quick email (a hand written note would be spectacular, but do what you can) to someone you haven't talked to in a while and let them know you are thinking of them.
Another thing that always puts a smile on people's faces if you have the time is going anonymous,and putting a small treat on someone's doorstep. Try doing it when they aren't home, or at night-not too late, obviously and knock on their door or ring the bell. I know some of the neighbors on our street took part in this around Halloween and my children really enjoyed it. What surprised me most is that my kids took more pleasure in the giving than in the receiving.

There are so many ways to spread the love-I'm sure you can come up with tons of ideas on your own. Would love to hear your stories if you have time to share-but I completely understand time is at quite a premium these days.



Now go blow those bubbles!

XOXO Andi

What I'm Listening to Now....One of the Most Fantastic Voices I've Ever Heard

An excerpt from her bio reads like this: "Growing up outside of Detroit in a family of musical evangelists, Worden studied multiple instruments (her father is an acclaimed accordionist and mother an organist). She became equally passionate about classical and Motown, later pursuing a degree in Opera at the University of North Texas where she wrote and recorded original material for the first time. After moving to New York by way of Moscow, Worden recorded three albums before joining the ranks of Sufjan Stevens‘ Illinoisemakers. She then expanded her musical education further by studying composition under Padma Newsome (Clogs, The National), and turned out several scores for off-Broadway productions."

I hope you enjoy listening to her as much as I do! Again, I would have never known about this gal without the fantastic programming at NPR.

Poem for Today

The Return of the Subjunctive
by Tamara Madison

Oh, the Subjunctive,
May it make its bold return!
May it ride back proud
In liveried coach,
May its two fine horses snort
And paw the ground,
And, escorted by its staunch
Attendants If and Whether,
May it descend in velvet cloak
And black-gloved hand
The lacquered steps of hope
And happenstance.
May it fix upon us its deep
Uncertain gaze!
I shall be there to greet it
Though my company
Be small and moody.
I shall beg it stay
And may its presence give
Some respite from the steely glare
Of Indicative, a mantle to shield us
From Passive's clammy chill.
May it light again the land
Between the world that was
And is, and that which still might be,
And may we tread again desire's
Leaf-dappled path
Of possibility.

"The Return of the Subjunctive" by Tamara Madison, from Wild Domestic. © Pearl Editions, 2011. Reprinted with permission.