Awesome

From Myspace, Facebook, Twitter and any other social haven we see more conversation electronically than ever before. The question I have is-are we losing the ability to form "real" and "intimate" relationships platonic or otherwise? Some may take me to task on this but I think we have. What about the tangible world is it overrated? Do we still allow ourselves to be up close and personal with the people we can touch? I think we are not fostering relationships the same and consequently young people miss out on the real emotions that go with how we affect one another. Now don't get me wrong I think social media is great but I also have personal relationships of 20+ years to balance it all out. I can say with certainty I have first-hand knowledge of someone's character. I think our young people are missing that component. Perhaps it's not just them. I'm a child of the 70s and we are heavy in technology just like the next group. I know I’ve asked more ...

My family and many of you with children probably use the term “use your words” when speaking to the little ones. It has become our way of encouraging them to exercise use of the English language and to become comfortable speaking and expressing themselves. The question becomes, are we doing the same thing? I come to challenge you to make sure that you are. Our foundations of understanding determine the foundation of truth we speak-or does it? It should but surprisingly that’s not always the case. Like children, adults when they are not sure of themselves or if they are not honest in their speech will recline from “using their words” or engaging in honest talk. No way! Yes it is so. It’s a bit of a humorous twist that can pervade into relationships if you let it. Don’t do it. Don’t slip into a form of communicating that is timid towards embracing real dialogue. Hence I’m not talking about the spats a couple may have which results in keeping conversations minimal on purpose. I’m talk...

So I didn't make it to the stores at the wee hours in the morning and it has somewhat become a tradition for us however I had no regrets about passing up the crowd this morning. Well for starters I was a bit tired, more than usual, and got the word that customers were lined up outside at the stores at 9:00pm yesterday. So I opted out of my usual routine. I used most of the day to get some work done. Remember we're still pressing toward end of the year goals. Boy did it pay off. I got some things completed and headed to the stores 10 hours after all the excitement. I was shocked to find no long lines or huge crowds. What!! I couldn't believe it. We got our Christmas decorations and took our time strolling around to come upon some unique finds. So you know that I am a happy camper to say the least. The moral of this story, I may have missed the Thanksgiving rush but with confidence that there would still be something left over for me; I still discovered some golden surprise...

I once heard a man say "Thank God for the good" and have a flagrant disregard for all else

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!! Tis the season to be thankful. This is a time a fellowship with the ones you love. Value-added relationships help sustain families and friendships. This is such an important time to foster that connection and create an environment that promotes unity and love. Make no excuse or let no one influence your decision to be around the one (s) you love. If a hand has reached or reaches out to you grab hold and walk along in unison.

Enjoying and cooking for your family should never be what I call a "chore" by all principle purposes it should be effortless and a joy. The minute you think that a relative, sibling, child etc. has the wrong mindset about what family is about is when you need to take the first opportunity to discuss it and be firm about your position. Managing family can be a challenge and yes drama, let's face it. But you should never feel compelled to do anything. Why am I talking about this? The holiday can be stressful for some because you are cooking, and running errands, and jumping through all other loopholes for children or loved ones who may not appreciate it. That should never be. I learned and am learning the older I get that you are free to do more when you are appreciated. At least that’s what my grandmother said. And guess what she was so right. Do you know when you are appreciated you find the time even when time is stretched to the max to add an extra dessert or dish. I ...

Okay, we are on the count down. Thanksgiving is just a mere 4 days away and already I am feeling a bit anxious about our cooking schedule. I think I may actually want to start on Tuesday. What do you think; is that too early? I am sharing the kitchen with others. I think I'm going to actually see if we can agree on a schedule. This is so exciting.  Yes, the holiday season is in swing. Notice I didn't say full swing. That'll start the day after Thanksgiving. Oh and just a gentle reminder be mindful of your environments and false speech. The tales of the tongue have no cure so I'm told (lol). But seriously this is an exciting time to enjoy but we do want to be just a wee bit more alert. I almost feel as if this should be a year round caution but because of the holiday season I think we should have increased awareness of our surroundings. With that happy cooking and join me in the day count down to Christmas. Wow!

There is no love like that of the one who can not only say I love you but can show their love and be there for you in times of joy and sorrow. Oh what blessing it is to know love in that way. I just watched the end of a Holiday film, plates were chiming and lots of chatter in the air and it all came to hush for the family toasts. It was the perfect movie scene to close your eyes to see and listen. Life comes with a lot of value and there is nothing like being able to freely express your sentiments to one another.

Getting together for the holidays can be trying but I like the idea of pot-lucking right in the home. Okay it's not exactly pot-lucking but it's similar and it gets everyone in your household involved during the holidays. Most everyone in our home will make a dish-teenagers included. It doesn't take long for a tradition to start and everyone to find out what their signature dish is. When this happens everyone becomes part of the event. You can even let the youngest (who I presume may not be cooking-but they make excellent taste testers) pick out something they'd like to have at dinner. Again everyone gets involved and will have a part in the sharing of the holiday festivities. What ideas do you have to bring all your family together and get them involved? Hey I don't mind you sharing. Sound off right here!

I love questions that make you stop and pause and examine your inner self. Today’s question is what represents normalcy in your life? It’s a combination of atypical experiences mixed with a balanced life that includes but is not limited to joy, excitement and peace. Speaking futuristically I would say something like “Sweet Heart, make sure that whatever excitement you bring it makes sense or at least fits our personalities, a mix of spontaneity and solid thinking that maintains committed and sound living.”

  The comfort your presence brings makes all the difference, so don’t frustrate the love you have. You have a dream to be married one day and the love of your life comes along, yeah, hoo, hoo!!!! There's only one problem, rather than see your love as part of your life, as someone you want to share your accomplishments with, you try to work them in to your plan. That's surely going to cause problems. So figure out if you truly want to share your life with someone or if you just want a hit and miss relationship? If you want to share your life invite them in so that together you can help each other along the way as you believe for the best in the rest of your lives. What do you think? Let's talk about it.

When you've become one with your purpose the earth will make a way to provide you with what you need.

The word friendship can take on different terms but what's important is that each person is clear about what it stands for. God touches us through the lives of other people. It is with this understanding that we learn to value our relationships. I don't waste time playing games with people I love I use that time honor their presence. Let not someone who dislikes you take up free rent space in your mind. Time spent in the presence of a friend is spent in good company.

The heart of two...and a posture of romance as we say thanks and be merry. I never give someone outside the relationship the power to determine my happily-ever-after. I love him because together we love each other.

He who provokes thought, contemplation and one's inner reflection is worthy of esteem. I've been doing my morning reading and after several articles in this thought repeatedly came to mind. We should endeavor to do better when we know better and avoid justifying wrongs because of formality. Using formality for the good is worthwhile; even if you have to question what's good. However using it to harm the very human spirit of people is an act against humanity. If you look at the fabric of history we find that the legacy of such acts is wrought with painful historical account. One we spend a lifetime trying to make amends. It's a controversial topic- I know but, one that would probably lend itself to robust discourse in a leadership class of mature individual thinkers who may agree or disagree. The question becomes-how can we become better communities while trying to leverage right against wrong when formality challenges our moral "compass"? There are some thin...

I have an assortment of hat and scarf sets. I've collected them for years. I use to keep all my sets together and then one year, little by little my colorful collection dwindled. However rest assured each year I always seem to replenish-although not the main point I'm trying to make, it was and still is always enjoyable to have several winter accessories to look at. The main point being winter or should I say leading up to winter I always get my garbs out and arrange them like so and put them somewhere I can find them to wear. While keeping with my own tradition this year an idea came to mind. If you find that you have something of a bit of a collection perhaps if you can (depending on the collection) pass one along to your child or someone near your heart or that you are fond of. I believe little legacies start with such acts as that. I remember when my grandmother gave me a cuff bracelet. I still have it and have been wearing it for years since along with others I've co...

So here's the thing... I've been talking about this lately because when you have school-aged children around it comes up but the holidays often conjure up family rifts if they go left unsettled. I know families that have gone decades with unresolved issues and some that never got the closure they should have- the result, family ties were severed and if truth be told the family becomes scarred because of it. Over the years I've talked with my mom and dad about family rifts and it's always interesting. It is jaw dropping stuff and usually I'm covering my mouth in unbelief. The after-shock of family disputes always seems to come alive at Thanksgiving or Christmas. There's a missing person on there's tension in the air. Loneliness and depression increases during the holidays and so as uncomfortable as it is to have difficult conversations it's worth it. Of course to avoid arguing you have to put the real issues on the table. You have to go to the root of t...

I never confuse romantic or platonic love. It either is or isn't. Ask me and I'll tell you which it is. I write no substitution trying to exclaim a different story. That would deny me the opportunity of having found love, being vulnerable to it and enjoying every minute of it. The best love is the one where his presence brings comfort and his absence creates a longing for his return. Three's a company for these type feelings, that's why the vow is between the two. Sure family is an extension but don't put love through hell trying to discover something the two knew was already there... His love is the fresh breeze in the summer's air, a beautiful blanket of warmth during a cold winter morn. Yeah that's what is. I suppose I should ask him his description. And yes, you should have kissed me when you had the chance instead of making me wait all this long :-) A short story in the making or a love story... I don't know you tell me?